South Carolina Women’s Basketball: “I’m So Happy” – Sania Feagin Always Believed in Dawn Staley’s Process

It turns out that “The Process” isn’t just a term for the Philadelphia 76ers. Dawn Staley, a proud Philly native, brought that same mindset to South Carolina, and it’s paid off for Sania Feagin.

Feagin’s journey has been anything but smooth. As a freshman on the 2022 national championship team, she barely saw the court, playing just 43 seconds across the two Final Four games without recording a stat. By the time the 2023 Final Four rolled around, Feagin didn’t play at all. Last season, she became a reliable reserve, but still, the stardom that was expected when she first signed with South Carolina hadn’t materialized. Feagin was ranked as the fourth-best player in her class and often cited as the most talented, yet she wasn’t able to showcase that ability immediately.

“It’s kind of really cool to see someone go through their process,” Staley said. “Probably the first three years of her college career didn’t quite look or feel or sound like what she was capable of. I will say that I never let Feagin play less than her standard, less than her potential. That meant she sat a lot. That meant she played here and there, spotted here and there.”

Each spring, Feagin’s name was often mentioned as a possible transfer candidate. But every time, she stayed.

This season wasn’t any easier. Feagin likely wouldn’t have started if Ashlyn Watkins hadn’t been suspended. When Watkins returned and started playing well, Staley texted Feagin, telling her she would be making a change to the lineup. But Feagin wasn’t ready to give up. She asked for one more shot and promised Staley she wouldn’t let her down.

Feagin began to shine. At 6-3, she’s undersized for a post player, lacking the natural rebounding or shot-blocking skills of Watkins. But what she lacked in size, she made up for with effort. Feagin blocked 51 of her 106 career shots this season and became South Carolina’s defensive anchor.

For two seasons, Staley had been vocal about Feagin’s defensive struggles, often saying that her inability to defend had kept her off the court. Even last season, Staley repeatedly encouraged Feagin to improve defensively. But this year, Feagin was named to the SEC All-Defensive team and earned All-Tournament honors for her standout performances against some of the top post players in the SEC, including Khamil Pierre, Raegan Beers, Taylor Jones, and Kyla Oldacre.

“This year it paid off,” Staley said. “When she’s locked in, she’s communicative, she’s skillful, she can stick to a game plan, she can defend. I mean, she’s got great footwork. She’s got a great touch. She is very efficient around the basket. That is her. You’re seeing all of her skill set that we saw during the recruiting process that we didn’t see on a consistent basis her first three years.”

Feagin not only had a solid offensive tournament, averaging 12.7 points, but she also showcased her versatility. She scored in the low post, attacked with dribble drives, and even hit her second three-pointer of the season. But what stood out most was her defense.

“Could anyone have imagined it would happen back in 2022 when she was unplayable because of her defense?” I asked.

“Actually, yes,” Feagin replied. “Because I trusted the process and trusted myself to know that everything is going to fall in place for me, and everything that I deserve, I will get. Me trusting that process, I felt like I was going to be successful.”

On Sunday, Feagin helped cut down the net in Greenville. Her trophy collection now includes three SEC tournament titles, three regional championships, and two national titles. When it comes to championship rings, Feagin has won so many that she’s lost count. At the start of the season, she mentioned that she still had a bare thumb, but now, with the addition of the 2024 national championship rings—designed to also double as pendants—Feagin’s hands are full.

But these latest additions mean even more. She couldn’t stop smiling in the locker room after the game.

“I’m super happy. I’m so excited,” Feagin said. “I’m really helping. I’m really a part of it. I made a contribution.”

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