The latest on Ta’Niya Latson’s injury as SEC play looms for South Carolina WBB
South Carolina women’s basketball will be without one of its stars when the Gamecocks open SEC play on Thursday. Ta’Niya Latson did not practice on Wednesday and coach Dawn Staley told local media she won’t play against Alabama in South Carolina’s SEC opener on Thursday.
“No practice (for Latson) today,” Staley said. “[She] won’t play tomorrow.”
Latson left South Carolina’s win over Providence on Sunday in the second quarter with what appeared to be a lower leg injury. She went down during a layup attempt at the 4:18 minute mark in the second quarter and immediately started grabbing her left ankle area.
Latson didn’t put any weight on her left foot while she was helped off the court and did not return to the game. Staley didn’t have an in-depth update after the game but said Latson was smiling and would be further evaluated Monday.
Staley said they’re taking things “day by day” with Latson, when asked if she would play Sunday in South Carolina’s game against Florida. The SEC will start releasing its official injury report Wednesday night.
With Latson out, South Carolina will be without its second-leading scorer and one of the best players in women’s college hoops to start SEC play.
Latson, who led the nation last year with 25.2 points per game, is averaging 16.9 points per game and career highs in field goal percentage and 3-point percentage for the Gamecocks this year.
Staley will likely lean on her starters in Raven and Tessa Johnson to fill the production void left by Latson’s absence. The Gamecocks’ young bench guards — Agot Makeer, Ayla McDowell and Maddy McDaniel — have each shown flashes of potential and will more than likely receive extra minutes and responsibilities as well.
“Ta’Niya is gonna be a big piece that we miss, but I mean, it’s next man up,” Raven Johnson said. “I think everybody on the team, when their jersey number is called, they’re going to be ready.”
This story was originally published December 31, 2025 at 12:39 PM.
