Honestly, if you've been watching South Carolina women's basketball lately, you know the vibe is just different this year. Dawn Staley doesn't just "recruit" anymore. She curates. It's like she’s putting together a high-end watch where every single gear has to be perfect, or the whole thing doesn't tick.
People always talk about the 2024 undefeated squad, but the south carolina women's basketball team roster for the 2025-26 season has a weird, exciting mix of veteran grit and "wait, how is she that tall?" athleticism that we haven't seen in Columbia before.
They’re currently sitting at 18-1 as of mid-January 2026. One loss. That's it. And they just ground out a 68-65 win over a nasty Texas team. But if you look at the names on the back of the jerseys, there’s a lot to keep track of—especially with some big-time mid-season arrivals and a couple of heart-breaking injuries.
The Veterans Keeping the Engine Running
You can't talk about this roster without mentioning Raven Johnson. She’s a senior now. Think about that. The "Point Gawd" has gone from a freshman looking for her footing to the undisputed floor general of this program. She’s the heartbeat.
Alongside her, you've got Chloe Kitts, who was having a career year before the ACL injury. Losing her was a gut punch to the locker room. But that’s where the depth comes in. Chloe is a senior, and her absence has forced others to grow up fast.
Then there’s the shooting. Tessa Johnson is a junior now, and her range is basically "once she crosses half-court." She’s become that reliable bucket-getter every championship team needs when the shot clock is winding down and the play breaks.
The Bigs and the New Faces
- Madina Okot: The 6-foot-6 senior transfer from Mississippi State. She’s a wall. Seriously, trying to score in the paint against her is a bad life choice.
- Maryam Dauda: Another senior presence at 6-foot-4. She’s a transfer from Arkansas who provides that "stretch-big" versatility.
- Ta'Niya Latson: This was the splash of the offseason. Bringing in the former Florida State star gave Staley a legitimate, elite scoring threat who can create her own shot at any level.
Why the South Carolina Women's Basketball Team Roster Just Got "Scary"
If you thought they were finished, you haven't been paying attention to the international wire. On January 15, 2026, the Gamecocks debuted Alicia Tournebize.
She’s 6-foot-7.
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She’s from France.
And she can dunk.
Alicia is the daughter of French legend Isabelle Fijalkowski, so the basketball IQ is literally in her DNA. She arrived in Columbia on New Year's Day, got her paperwork settled, and walked right into the rotation against No. 4 Texas.
Having a 6'7" freshman who can shoot and space the floor? That’s almost unfair. Joyce Edwards, the sophomore forward from right here in Camden, SC, has been raving about how quickly Alicia is picking up the defensive schemes. Joyce herself is a monster on the boards, and adding Alicia next to her makes the Gamecocks' frontline look like a forest.
The Sophomore Surge and Freshmen Phenoms
Maddy McDaniel and Joyce Edwards aren't "babies" anymore. They’re sophomores who have played in the biggest games imaginable. Joyce is basically a walking double-double at this point. She’s 6-foot-3 and plays with a physical edge that most seniors can't match.
Then you look at the true freshmen.
Agot Makeer (6'1") and Ayla McDowell (6'1") are already seeing meaningful minutes. Staley doesn't care about your age; if you can guard, you'll play. Agot, coming out of Montverde Academy, has that "it" factor. She’s smooth. She doesn't get rattled by the crowd at Colonial Life Arena.
The Missing Pieces
It's not all sunshine, though. We have to mention that Ashlyn Watkins is currently away from the team. Between her absence and the Kitts injury, the roster is actually "shorter" than Staley usually likes, but the quality of the 11 or 12 active players is so high that they’re still outscoring opponents by nearly 35 points a game.
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The Coaching Continuity
Dawn Staley is the GOAT for a reason, but look at the bench. Lisa Boyer, Jolette Law, Wendale Farrow—this staff has been together. They know the "Gamecock Way."
Khadijah Sessions is also there as an assistant now. Seeing a former Gamecock great on the sidelines coaching up the new guards? That’s how you build a culture that doesn't crumble when stars go to the WNBA.
Speaking of the W, last year's draft took Te-Hina Paopao, Sania Feagin, and Bree Hall. Most teams would be in a "rebuilding year" after losing three starters to the pros. Not South Carolina. They just reload.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Roster
A lot of national media types think this team is "vulnerable" because they don't have a single 20-point-per-game scorer.
That's a mistake.
The south carolina women's basketball team roster is built on "positionless" basketball. On any given night, it could be Ta'Niya Latson dropping 25, or it could be a balanced attack where five different players score 12.
They lead the nation in "paint points" because they are simply taller and stronger than everyone else. But with Tessa Johnson and now Alicia Tournebize on the floor, you can't just pack the paint anymore. If you do, they’ll just shoot you out of the gym.
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A Quick Look at the Current Active Roster (Mid-Season 2026)
Ta'Niya Latson wears 00 and plays guard. She’s a senior. Maddy McDaniel is number 1, a sophomore guard. Tessa Johnson is 5. Joyce Edwards is 8. The "Twin Towers" are Madina Okot (11) at 6'6" and Alicia Tournebize (31) at 6'7".
Adhel Tac is a redshirt sophomore forward at 6'5" who is finally healthy and giving them great minutes. Chloe Kitts (21) and Raven Johnson (25) are the senior leaders, though Chloe is sidelined. Rounding it out are the freshmen: Ayla McDowell (24) and Agot Makeer (44).
Oh, and Maryam Dauda wears 30. That’s 11 active players who could start on almost any other team in the country.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the Gamecocks this season, here is what you need to keep an eye on to see if they'll actually pull off another title:
- Monitor Alicia Tournebize’s Minutes: If she integrates quickly, the Gamecocks become impossible to guard because of her size and shooting.
- Watch the Guard Rotation: With Raven Johnson playing heavy minutes, the development of Maddy McDaniel as a backup creator is the "secret sauce" for the SEC tournament.
- Check the Health Reports: They are already thin at the forward position with Kitts out. Any more injuries to the "bigs" would be a massive problem.
- The "Latson" Factor: See how Ta'Niya handles the "Staley Defense." If she buys in 100% on that end of the floor, she’s the best player in the country.
The 2025-26 Gamecocks are a fascinating experiment in elite talent management. They’ve got the size, they’ve got the transfers, and they’ve got the best coach in the game. Even with some bad luck on the injury front, this roster is built to be playing in the final game in April.
Watch the upcoming games against LSU and Tennessee. Those will be the real tests for this new-look frontcourt. If they can dominate the glass there, the rest of the country is in serious trouble.
To stay truly updated on the latest shifts in the rotation, keep an eye on the official game notes before tip-off at Colonial Life Arena, as Coach Staley has been known to tweak the starting five based on defensive matchups and recent practice performance.
The depth is their strength, but their chemistry is what will ultimately define this era of Gamecock basketball. Moving forward, the focus shifts to the grueling SEC schedule, where the mental toughness of the underclassmen will be tested just as much as their physical skill. Keep a close watch on the assist-to-turnover ratios for Raven Johnson and Maddy McDaniel; that’s usually the clearest indicator of how well this high-octane offense is clicking.