Ashlyn Watkins officially back with Gamecocks after year away from basketball
Ashlyn Watkins has returned to the South Carolina women’s basketball team, the program announced on social media Tuesday night.
Watkins took the last year off from basketball. She will return for her senior year in the 2026-27 season.
“I’m excited to be back for my senior year. I’m ready to get back to work. Go Gamecocks,” Watkins said in a video posted by USC.
Watkins did not play in the 2025-26 season. She announced in July 2025 she planned to take a year off from basketball following a “roller coaster” of a year.
She missed the beginning of the 2024-25 season due to a suspension after an August arrest (though all charges were eventually dismissed) and then played in 14 games before tearing her ACL in January 2025.
Watkins was not enrolled at USC during the 2025-26 season but was still rehabbing from her ACL injury with the team. Dawn Staley in Febuary confirmed Watkins would return to the program in May.
At her best, Watkins is an All-SEC player who brings a dominant presence on both ends of the floor for South Carolina. Before her injury in the 2024-25 season, Watkins averaged 7.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks. During her sophomore year, Watkins was an All-SEC selection and averaged 9.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks.
Tuesday’s announcement means South Carolina is officially up to 15 players on the roster for the 2026-27 season.
