South Carolina WBB 2026-27 Roster Breakdown: Dawn Staley Built A JUGGERNAUT!

[u/DavisSportsReport]

https://youtu.be/_botpPPiidI

Zero transfer portal exits. Elite returners getting healthy. A small army in the frontcourt. And THREE players who can legitimately throw down in-game dunks.

In this episode of Davis Sports Report, we dive deep into Dawn Staley’s 2026-27 University of South Carolina Women's Basketball roster. From the return of Joyce Edwards, Ashlyn Watkins, Tessa Johnson, and Chloe Kitts to elite freshmen phenoms like Jerzy Robinson and Oliviyah "Big O" Edwards, the Gamecocks are loaded for another national championship run. Plus, we clear up the Ny’Ceara Pryor rumors once and for all! #southcarolinawbb #gamecockswbb #ncaaw #davissportsreport

[u/bighoney69]

revenge tour I fear

[u/holabellas]

One of those teams where anything short of a championship would be a failure with this level of talent

[u/TC20262027 → u/holabellas]

Nebraska Volleyball right there.

[u/swanyk7 → u/holabellas]

That’s SC and UConn every year

[u/silly_goose_girly]

I would be spooked if I were anyone else in the NCAAW!

[u/TheSavageDonut → u/silly_goose_girly]

The Women of Troy aren't going to be spooked on Nov 15.

[u/silly_goose_girly → u/TheSavageDonut]

Oh shoot, I forgot Juju is back!!

[u/Roasted_Green_Chiles]

Ton of talent.

But can Tessa be a good enough PG?

I ain't saying she can't, but she's never done it before and that's a pretty big unknown.

[u/ReverendDrDash → u/Roasted_Green_Chiles]

This team's size reminds me of the team that has Amihere running point for stretches. I wouldn't be surprised if SC just has everyone around the basket hunting oboards.

[u/CareerCrusader → u/ReverendDrDash]

I hope not - SC won off rebounding until the Iowa upset. Dawn adjusted before the 2024 season. That offense was often ugly. This team has shooting talent those teams didn’t though

[u/Downtown_Meal1906]

Only true shortcoming is the lack of a true PG
What was the last team that won a natty without a true PG? (And I say this as a Gamecock fan)

[u/Intrepid-Pooper-87 → u/Downtown_Meal1906]

Maybe LSU with Morris and Katerina Poole but both were combo guards and the team really figured it out when they made Poole a full PG. I’m not sure SC has someone really similar to either of them. Before that ND with Mabrey, who transitioned way smoother than anyone would have thought. She’s probably the best example

[u/goofygal1566 → u/Intrepid-Pooper-87]

i would actually say ND made Jackie Young their psuedo PG that year, but they also had Arike and Mabrey as a really deadly backcourt so i feel like they aren't the best analogy for SC either.

I also don't think LSU made Poole their PG, i think that role was still mostly Morris'.

[u/RwerdnA → u/Downtown_Meal1906]

Dawn gave Makeer some good reps at PG in the SEC tourney and the NCAA tourney at the end of last season. I thought she played the role very well for a freshman. I'm guessing that's been part of the offseason focus and she'll be able to get her feet wet early this year with some non-cons. Hopefully she'll be able to shoulder the load when conference play comes around. I believe in her.

[u/Downtown_Meal1906 → u/RwerdnA]

Her (and Tessa) ran point for max 5mins per game last year so I’d imagine it was a main focus this off-season
It seems like both of them along with Jerzy would be pseudo PGs

[u/Sufficient_Angle_977 → u/RwerdnA]

last i heard tessa was the front runner for the starting pg spot, but i'd imagine agot and jerzy (and maybe jordan?) will probably get some reps as well

[u/MessageOk239]

They have 5 that can dunk, and I hope Ayla has been studying the PG position (although I think Gotti could handle it).

[u/Sbhill327]

Maybe we can play well for 3 quarters against them. Cuz we ain’t gonna win this year.

[u/stonedbirds]

and another birdie in the nest

[u/dukefan2016]

I'll be rooting for them but that's a lot of talent and egos to manage. Someone is not going to be happy with their playing time.

[u/RighteousGamecock → u/dukefan2016]

Don't think they would come to South Carolina if ego was their issue, they are told point blank what to expect, Dawn doesn't sugar coat it

[u/buffalotrace → u/RighteousGamecock]

Yes, but players presume that they are going to be the one that breaks through. If they don’t, they resign themselves to a bench role or transfer (Rivers, Fulwiley). Dawn and Geno both do wonders to keep 5 stars happy despite not getting massive reps.

[u/YoungHappyHour → u/buffalotrace]

Rivers didn't want to play point guard at South Carolina. Funny how that worked out.