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South Carolina basketball commitment Eli Ellis has once again proven his clutch ability. On Friday night, he delivered a buzzer-beater in game four to secure the Overtime Elite (OTE) championship for his team. Despite tight defense at the top of the key, Ellis showed why he is simply inevitable.

Ellis and his YNG Dreamerz team are now the OTE champions. Hayden Assemian, another Gamecock commitment, along with 2026 targets Isaac Ellis and Kohl Rosario, also play for the Dreamerz.

You can watch the thrilling game-winner below:

Ellis finished the game with an impressive stat line: 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists, shooting over 50% from both the field and beyond the arc. He made crucial shots throughout the game, including his game-winning basket, where he created something out of nothing.

Over the four-game series, which the YNG Dreamerz won 3-1, Ellis averaged more than 35 points per game, hitting over half of his shots, including 3-pointers. His dominant performance earned him the championship series MVP honors. It was the perfect way to end Ellis’ Overtime Elite career, where he leaves as the league’s all-time leading scorer and assist leader, guiding his team to the title. After the victory, he declared that his time with Overtime Elite was officially “completed.”

According to On3’s industry rankings, Ellis is the No. 70 overall player in the country, the No. 21 shooting guard, and the No. 4 recruit in North Carolina. Alongside Ellis and Assemian, EJ Walker (a versatile forward) and Grant Polk (a 3-point sharpshooter) are also part of South Carolina’s 2025 signing class.

This weekend, Dallas, Texas, hosted some of the top football prospects from the classes of 2026, 2027, and 2028 at Overtime’s 7-on-7 league. For those unfamiliar, 7-on-7 is a mostly non-contact football format that focuses on skill positions and quarterbacks. Among the standout performers were a South Carolina football commitment and a major target for the Gamecocks.

According to On3’s Cody Bellaire, 4-star safety commit J’Zavien Currence was one of the top performers on Saturday. Bellaire described Currence as “One of, if not the, most physically impressive prospects on the defensive side of the football.” Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 205 pounds, Currence’s physical tools at safety are exceptional, but it’s his movement skills that truly set him apart. Bellaire added, “He’s such a smooth mover that he almost glides when covering ground.”

4-star cornerback target Samari Matthews also had a standout weekend. The North Carolina native has had the Gamecocks among his top choices for some time. Matthews, who played for the City Reapers (the same team as Currence), made an impact on Sunday with an interception in the end zone and another pass breakup in the red zone. On Saturday, he impressed with his physicality and athleticism. At 6-foot-1, Matthews not only boasts long arms but also shows off remarkable athleticism.

As of now, both Currence and Matthews rank among the top-75 overall prospects in the On3 industry rankings. Currence is listed as the No. 6 safety in the nation and the No. 1 prospect in South Carolina. Matthews is ranked as the No. 11 corner and the No. 6 player in a loaded North Carolina class.

South Carolina currently holds five commitments in the class of 2026. Along with Currence, the Gamecocks have 4-star tight end Jamel Howse, 4-star cornerback Peyton Dyer, 4-star linebacker/EDGE Keenan Britt, and 4-star offensive lineman Anthony Baxter in the fold.

More news…..

South Carolina Women’s Basketball: Potential Transfer Portal Targets for the Gamecocks

Today we’re diving into a couple of standout names in the world of college basketball, and first up is Rose, a two-time SoCon Player of the Year. Despite playing just six games last season due to injury, she’s already made a huge impact when healthy. Rose dropped 23 points in a game against Duke and followed that up with a solid performance of 20 points and 8 rebounds at South Carolina. She’s already proven she can compete at the highest levels, showcasing her skills at a power conference caliber.

Next, we’ve got Kiyomi McMiller, a 5’8″ freshman guard from Rutgers. Last season, McMiller averaged 18.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, quickly earning a name for herself and nearly snagging the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award. However, despite all the potential, McMiller has yet to enter the transfer portal, but rumors suggest that’s just around the corner.

Here’s where it gets tricky—McMiller has been suspended multiple times this season, with the first suspension reportedly linked to a locker room incident. What’s concerning is how McMiller handled the situation afterward, which raised serious questions about her maturity and self-awareness. For a team like South Carolina, who needs stability and a strong team culture, she might not be the right fit.

Definitely a situation to keep an eye on as McMiller’s next move could shake things up in the coming weeks.

Shane Beamer recently found himself in an entirely new environment—Washington, D.C.—but don’t expect him to be running for office anytime soon.

On March 4, Beamer, the head football coach at South Carolina, testified before the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade during a hearing focused on NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) and the future of college sports. While Beamer has faced many high-pressure situations in his career, including big games on the football field, nothing quite compared to speaking before Congress.

“Honestly, it was terrifying,” Beamer admitted. “I can sit in here with you guys, and that can be nerve-wracking at times, but when you’re sitting there on national television — C-SPAN, or the internet, or whatever it was on that day, I don’t know. But you’ve got all these people from the Republican side, Democratic side, and they’re sitting there staring at you, it’s different as well.”

Alongside Beamer, Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman, Duke track athlete Emily Cole, Abilene Christian’s Anthony Egbo, and former Clemson offensive lineman and College Football Players Association VP Justin Falcinelli also shared their perspectives.

Ahead of the hearing, Beamer submitted a testimony highlighting the need for changes in college athletics, which he described as “unsustainable.” He emphasized the importance of protecting the “college student-athlete experience” and advocated for a “national, bipartisan federal law” to create equal opportunities for athletes to benefit from NIL, ensuring all institutions follow the same rules.

While the experience was a departure from his usual routine, Beamer found it to be both exciting and fulfilling. He shared that “the SEC and Congressman Russell Fry, the U.S. representative for South Carolina’s 7th congressional district, reached out to see if I wanted to participate in the discussion,” an opportunity he was honored to accept.

“It was neat to be a part of and a pretty cool experience,” Beamer reflected. “I’m a history buff, so to be able to be up there, and it’s the third time I’ve gone up there and met with people, but it’s the first time I’ve ever been on television testifying.”

Beamer has been a long-time advocate for changes that better support student-athletes, particularly in the realm of NIL. He felt it was crucial to take part in the discussion and represent those who may not have a voice in the debate.

“Somebody thought that my opinion or my viewpoints on things were important to hear. I certainly didn’t take that responsibility lightly and prepared hard to go up there, and hope I did a decent job of representing,” Beamer said. “My biggest fear was walking out of there and creating national headlines with something I said. And I don’t think I did, but it was neat to be a part of.”

As he heads into his fifth season with the Gamecocks, Beamer revealed he’ll be returning to Washington in April, but he’s not planning to testify again. “Thank God,” he joked. “I think Senator (Tommy) Tuberville and some of the other coaches that are up there that are now in DC, they’ve got it handled here for a while. I enjoy politics. I enjoy following it and keeping up with it, but I think I’ll stick to coaching football for the time being, for a long time.”

South Carolina football is holding its Pro Day today, where 25 Gamecocks will showcase their skills in front of NFL scouts and decision-makers. Many of these players have real NFL Draft aspirations, and strong performances today could help turn those aspirations into reality.

For a deeper look into the players and a Pro Day preview, check out GamecockCentral’s Mike Uva for a breakdown.

As the Pro Day unfolds, Tankathon released its latest NFL Draft mock, which features four South Carolina players. These four Gamecocks all participated in the NFL Combine last month and are set to further demonstrate their skills at Pro Day today.

The highest-ranked Gamecock in Tankathon’s mock is All-American defensive back Nick Emmanwori, who is projected to be selected at No. 13 overall by the Miami Dolphins. If this projection holds, Emmanwori would be the first safety off the board in the draft. His stock has surged since his standout performance at the NFL Combine, with many experts following suit in moving him up their rankings.

TJ Sanders, a versatile defensive lineman, is projected to go at No. 59 to the Baltimore Ravens in the second round. Sanders has the ability to play both defensive tackle and as a large defensive end in the Ravens’ 3-4 scheme. He is listed as the eighth defensive tackle in Tankathon’s mock.

The third South Carolina player on the list is EDGE rusher Kyle Kennard, who is projected to be taken at No. 75 by the San Francisco 49ers. If Kennard is drafted by the 49ers, he would join a long line of South Carolina players selected by the franchise, with Kennard being the eighth Gamecock drafted by the team since 2011. His pass-rushing abilities, highlighted by his Nagurski Trophy win, could see his draft stock rise further after a strong showing at Pro Day.

Linebacker Demetrius Knight rounds out the list of Gamecocks in Tankathon’s mock, projected to go at No. 84 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Knight has seen his draft stock soar in recent months, with his size and speed making him an elite linebacker prospect. Another solid performance today could see Knight continue to climb draft boards.

South Carolina is poised to break its record for most players drafted in a single year. In 2009 and 2013, seven Gamecocks were selected, and this year’s Pro Day performance could help surpass that mark.

In addition to Emmanwori, Sanders, Kennard, and Knight, several other South Carolina players are generating significant NFL Draft buzz. Rocket Sanders, a running back, and O’Donnell Fortune, a cornerback, have appeared in nearly every mock draft. Josh Simon, a tight end, and Tonka Hemingway, a defensive lineman, have also garnered attention as late-round picks. If all eight of these players are drafted, or if a few more Gamecocks sneak into the later rounds, South Carolina could set a new draft record.

In a historic move, the SEC has earned a record-breaking 14 berths into the 2025 NCAA Tournament, a feat that has sparked criticism against the league. However, Paul Finebaum believes the real story will only unfold depending on how teams perform in the bracket from now until April 7th.

On Monday’s McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, Finebaum weighed in on the backlash surrounding the SEC’s unprecedented success in earning 14 tournament spots. He suggested that much of the criticism is already falling on deaf ears, given that the field is now set, and most SEC teams are already in.

“It’s mostly falling on deaf ears, but there’s so many different layers to the NCAA Tournament. This is, this is the most critical one – getting in and then what’s happened,” Finebaum explained. “And, yeah, there’s going to be a lot of people rooting against the SEC. This is not unusual. It’s almost football-like.”

The SEC had an impressive regular season, finishing with a combined record of 344-182 (.654). The conference dominated the non-conference schedule, posting a remarkable 201-36 (.848) record. Fourteen of the league’s 16 teams finished with winning records, with LSU and South Carolina being the only exceptions.

As of Selection Sunday, the SEC was well-represented across the four regions of the tournament bracket. The action kicks off on Wednesday, with Texas competing in the First Four for a No. 11 seed. Auburn and Florida earned No. 1 seeds, while Alabama and Tennessee secured No. 2 seeds. Kentucky, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Missouri, and Mississippi State are spread across the three to eight seed lines, while Georgia and Oklahoma are No. 9 seeds, and Arkansas and Vanderbilt are No. 10 seeds.

Despite this impressive showing, the SEC now faces the pressure of living up to the hype. Finebaum pointed out that advancing deep into the tournament, perhaps even making a Final Four appearance, would be a significant achievement, given the tournament’s difficulty. However, to truly silence the critics, a national championship would be the only way to unequivocally prove the conference’s legitimacy this season.

“I do think it’s incumbent upon the SEC to make an incredible showing. When you have such a preponderance of the field, you are under that microscope,” Finebaum said. “I’ll repeat what others have said and I’ll say it again. I think the Final Four is the first frontier but, but I think, this year, it’s not about the Final Four. In ’19, that was fantastic when Auburn got in there. And a couple years earlier when South Carolina made it and, obviously, last year with Alabama. But the SEC does need to win because I think, until you win the NCAA Championship, those blue bloods, those elitists will not take you as seriously and then they’ll say, ‘Well, okay, this was an abberation, this was a weird thing.’”

Finebaum continued, “I think, in basketball, the Final Four is almost, is what people talk about. Unless you’re at the very top of the game, getting to the Final Four is everyone’s goal. Football is different. You know, everybody has their own wishlist in football.”

If the SEC can secure spots in the Final Four, especially with teams like Auburn and Florida, Finebaum believes it will quiet much of the criticism. He added, “I don’t think anybody is going to be able to say too loudly any of the negativity.”

The SEC now finds itself in a prime position to claim the national title. The real challenge will be getting teams to San Antonio and proving themselves on the biggest stage.

“To the average fan, winning, winning and going to the Final Four are the barometers in basketball,” Finebaum said. “I do think, in a couple weeks on Monday night, it would certainly help the cause if the SEC was not only in the game but winning it.”

The South Carolina Gamecocks now know their opponent for the opening round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament: they’ll face Tennessee Tech on Friday, March 21. As the Gamecocks aim for another national title, could there be a potential upset brewing?

Once again, South Carolina is a top pick among analysts to win the championship for the third time in four years. But standing in their way are the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, who are looking to make a statement as tournament spoilers. This matchup isn’t the first time these two teams have faced off in the NCAA Tournament—could history repeat itself in round one?

Scouting the Golden Eagles:

Tennessee Tech (26-5) earned its spot in the tournament by winning the Ohio Valley Championship in a thrilling overtime win over Lindenwood. That victory extended their winning streak to 17 games and secured their 11th OVC tournament title. It also marked the eighth time the Golden Eagles have captured both the regular-season and tournament championships in the same year.

The last time Tennessee Tech and South Carolina met in the NCAA Tournament was in 1989 during the Midwest Regional. In that game, the Golden Eagles pulled off an upset, winning 77-73 in what was only their second NCAA Tournament victory. Back then, the Gamecocks entered the tournament as a 6th seed, while Tennessee Tech was seeded 11th. Fast forward to this year, and South Carolina has become one of the most dominant programs in the country, winning two of the last three national titles and earning their fifth consecutive #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

With a roster full of veterans and the reigning national champions under their belt, the Gamecocks should not take Tennessee Tech lightly. But as we all know, it’s called “March Madness” for a reason—stranger things have happened before.

Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the Gamecocks’ tournament debut!

 

With just three days to go before the NCAA Tournament kicks off (excluding the First Four), let’s take a deep dive into the Gamecocks’ illustrious tournament history and break down some of the most significant numbers and milestones.

**Key Numbers**
– National Championships: 3
– Final Fours: 6 (plus an additional 1980 AIAW Final Four)
– Elite Eights: 8
– Sweet Sixteens: 14
– Tournament Appearances: 21
– Tournament Record: 50-17
– #1 Seed: 9 times (including this season)

**Game Highs and Lows**
– **Most Points in a Win**: 100 (vs. Quinnipiac, 2017)
– **Most Points in a Loss**: 77 (Overtime vs. MTSU, 1986; regulation: 73 vs. Tennessee Tech, 1989; vs. Iowa, 2023)
– **Fewest Points in a Win**: 49 (vs. Miami, 2022)
– **Fewest Points in a Loss**: 58 (vs. Texas, 1988; vs. North Carolina, 2014)
– **Largest Margin of Victory**: 52 (vs. Presbyterian, 2024)
– **Smallest Margin of Victory**: 2 (vs. North Carolina, 2015)
– **Largest Margin of Defeat**: 29 (vs. UConn, 2018)
– **Smallest Margin of Defeat**: 1 point (78-77 OT to MTSU, 1986; 66-65 to Notre Dame, 2015; 66-65 to Stanford, 2021)

**Impressive Streaks**
– Four consecutive Final Fours
– Five consecutive #1 seedings (including this season)
– 10 consecutive Sweet 16 appearances
– 13 consecutive NCAA Tournament berths (including this season)

**NCAA Records**
Coach *Dawn Staley*’s three national championships and six Final Four appearances rank her fourth and fifth all-time, respectively. Her four consecutive Final Fours tie for third most, just one shy of second. *Staley* also boasts a 66.7% Final Four winning percentage, which ties her with legendary coach *Pat Summitt* for the third-highest.

With a combined 44 tournament victories between her time at *Temple* and *South Carolina*, *Staley* holds the third-most tournament wins all-time, and her 74.6% tournament winning percentage ranks third as well.

*South Carolina*’s 50 tournament wins currently sit 13th all-time. The Gamecocks also share the record with UConn for most rebounds in a game (69) and set the record for the fewest points allowed in a game, with just 21 points from *Howard* in 2022.

Additionally, South Carolina is one of only three teams to hold an opponent scoreless in a quarter, having done so in the fourth quarter against *Texas* during the 2021 Elite Eight. (For context, *UConn* and *Stanford* did so in the first round of the 2022 tournament.)

**Staley Era Facts**
– Tournament Record: 42-9
– Championship Game Record: 3-0
– Lowest Seed: 5 (2012)
– Nine of 13 tournament appearances have been automatic bids

**Pre-Staley Era Facts**
– Tournament Record: 8-8
– Best Finish: 2002 Elite Eight
– Best Seed: 3 (1982, 1988, 2002)
– Three of the eight appearances were automatic bids

**Fun Facts**
– *South Carolina* has never lost to a team seeded 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 13th, 14th, 15th, or 16th.
– The Gamecocks have defeated opponents from every seed in the tournament.
– Under *Dawn Staley*, *South Carolina* has reached the Sweet 16 in 11 of its 12 appearances, and has won at least one game in every single tournament appearance. The only time the Gamecocks failed to advance past the first weekend was in 2013, when they were upset by #12 *Kansas* in the second round.
– Prior to *Staley*, *South Carolina* had been eliminated in the first round three times.
– The Gamecocks have been seeded as #1 (9 times), #2 (once), #3 (three times), #4 (twice), #5 (three times), #6 (once), and #7 (twice).
– Over the years, *South Carolina* has faced 54 different opponents in NCAA tournament play, with *North Carolina* (3-1), *Florida State* (3-0), *Oregon State* (3-0), and *Stanford* (1-2) being their most common foes.

As for this year’s tournament, *North Carolina* is back in *South Carolina*’s region. Notably, each time the Gamecocks have beaten *North Carolina*, they have gone on to make the Final Four. In fact, *South Carolina* has secured the national championship twice when advancing past the Tar Heels. Though the Gamecocks won the 2017 title without meeting *North Carolina*, they did knock off *Florida State* and *Stanford* along the way.

And remember, the countdown to March Madness is on—stay tuned as we follow the Gamecocks’ quest for another championship!

The South Carolina women’s basketball team has been selected as a No. 1 seed in the Birmingham 2 Regional for the 2025 Women’s March Madness Tournament. The Gamecocks will begin their tournament journey against Tennessee Tech on Friday at Colonial Life Arena.

If South Carolina advances past the round of 32, they will travel to Birmingham, Alabama for the Sweet 16.

Dawn Staley‘s squad finished the regular season with just three losses, falling to three of the nation’s top teams: UCLA, Texas, and UConn.

The Gamecocks shared the SEC regular season title and earned the top seed for the SEC tournament following a coin flip by the conference’s commissioner. They went on to secure their third consecutive SEC Championship, defeating Vanderbilt, Oklahoma, and Texas in the tournament. The championship win came in a decisive 64-45 victory over the Longhorns in their third matchup of the season.

The Final Four will be held at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, on Friday, April 4, with the championship game following on Sunday, April 6.

More news….

Shane Beamer Sticks to Tradition as South Carolina Confronts Key Challenges and Uncertain CFP Future

Shane Beamer’s Leadership: Steady Amid Challenges

In a season where expectations often ran high, Shane Beamer concluded with a 9-4 overall record. While some might see this as a less-than-remarkable finish, Beamer’s steadfast leadership stands out, primarily defined by his refusal to bow to shifting trends. Instead of yielding to pressures such as canceling traditional spring games, Beamer remained committed to time-honored practices, even as many called for change.

A Commitment to Tradition

Beamer’s approach has earned the admiration of fans who value consistency and a deep respect for the program’s rich history. Despite growing calls to abandon conventional methods, Beamer has stayed true to what he believes fosters long-term success. His focus on maintaining a strong foundation rather than chasing quick fixes reflects his philosophy of stability, a perspective that many believe is crucial for the program’s future.

Facing New Challenges

While the team’s performance this season was respectable, questions still linger about its ability to compete at the highest levels. The 9-4 record hasn’t been enough to fully silence doubts about the program’s readiness for elite postseason play. As discussions continue, the program must confront significant challenges in order to determine its future direction.

Looking Ahead: Tradition Meets Innovation

As the team stands at a crossroads, the upcoming seasons will be pivotal in balancing the preservation of tradition with the demands of modern college football. The decisions made during this time will shape the program’s trajectory, with a delicate balance between honoring its legacy and embracing necessary innovation in pursuit of postseason success. The path forward will be crucial for Shane Beamer and the team as they look to secure a place among the nation’s football elite.

Despite an impressive record against one of the toughest schedules in the nation, South Carolina earned the No. 2 overall seed for the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament. Dawn Staley is now questioning the future of the Gamecocks’ scheduling strategy in light of this decision.

During an appearance on Women’s Bracketology on ESPN, Holly Rowe asked Staley about South Carolina being placed as the second No. 1 seed. Staley expressed surprise, particularly given the challenging non-conference schedule the Gamecocks faced, coupled with their strong SEC performance. She is now rethinking how they approach scheduling, believing it could have made the difference in securing the top overall seed.

“I’m a little bit surprised, um, because we manufactured our schedule and put ourselves in position to be the No. 1 overall seed,” Staley explained. “I do think, if you do, you know, the blind test and you put our resume against any other team in the field? I think, I think you’ll pick us. That’s just plain and simple.”

Staley continued, emphasizing the Gamecocks’ strength of schedule: “We do need to voice it. I do need to voice the fact that we put a schedule together. We got the most Quad 1 wins. If having more Quad 1 wins doesn’t supersede some of the hiccups that we had during the season, I don’t know what will. So, for us, maybe we don’t put ourselves in a position where we have hiccups, so we aren’t, you know, we aren’t – they’ll have to lower the standard for us to get a number one overall seed.”

South Carolina’s non-conference schedule included eight powerhouse opponents, with six of them—UCLA, UConn, Duke, NC State, TCU, and Michigan—earning top-two seeds in the tournament. The Gamecocks came out of that stretch with a 7-2 record, losing only to UCLA by 15 points in Los Angeles and to UConn by 29 in Columbia.

Additionally, South Carolina dominated the SEC, finishing with an 18-1 record. Their only loss came on the road against Texas, another top seed. The Gamecocks managed seven wins against ranked teams and defeated every SEC team that made it into the tournament bracket, including a victory over Texas in the SEC Championship.

Despite these achievements, the selection committee awarded the No. 1 overall seed to UCLA (30-2), the Big Ten Tournament champions. The committee’s decision largely came down to the head-to-head outcome between the two teams, as well as the margins in their respective losses.

Even though the Gamecocks earned a No. 1 seed for the fifth consecutive year and the ninth time under Staley, the No. 2 ranking has led her to reconsider how the team should schedule moving forward to avoid this outcome in the future.

 

The South Carolina Gamecocks are favored to win the NCAA women’s basketball tournament.

The NCAA women’s basketball tournament kicks off this week, and the South Carolina Gamecocks enter as a one-seed, set to face Tennessee Tech in the first round. While South Carolina wasn’t awarded the top overall seed (that distinction went to the UCLA Bruins), one network has predicted the Gamecocks to take home the championship.

Charlie Creme of ESPN shared his official bracket prediction, forecasting that South Carolina will emerge as the tournament’s champions.

Creme envisions the Gamecocks winning their first-round matchup 91-47 against Tennessee Tech, defeating Indiana 76-58 in the second round, overcoming Maryland in the third round, beating Duke 81-70 in the Elite Eight, edging out Notre Dame 72-67 in the Final Four, and finally securing a 72-70 victory over UConn in the national championship game.

Regarding his prediction, Creme stated:

“UConn and South Carolina are the two most successful NCAA tournament teams in recent memory, and that will play out again with each reaching the championship game,” Creme wrote. “They met earlier this season, when the Huskies beat the Gamecocks by 29 points on Feb. 16 in Columbia, South Carolina. That result won’t repeat itself. This will be a much more competitive game. And it will be a better game than when these two programs met in the 2022 national championship game. But the result will be the same: South Carolina will celebrate an NCAA title for a second straight year and for the third time in four seasons.”

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South Carolina Women’s Basketball: Potential Transfer Portal Targets for the Gamecocks

Today we’re diving into a couple of standout names in the world of college basketball, and first up is Rose, a two-time SoCon Player of the Year. Despite playing just six games last season due to injury, she’s already made a huge impact when healthy. Rose dropped 23 points in a game against Duke and followed that up with a solid performance of 20 points and 8 rebounds at South Carolina. She’s already proven she can compete at the highest levels, showcasing her skills at a power conference caliber.

Next, we’ve got Kiyomi McMiller, a 5’8″ freshman guard from Rutgers. Last season, McMiller averaged 18.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, quickly earning a name for herself and nearly snagging the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award. However, despite all the potential, McMiller has yet to enter the transfer portal, but rumors suggest that’s just around the corner.

Here’s where it gets tricky—McMiller has been suspended multiple times this season, with the first suspension reportedly linked to a locker room incident. What’s concerning is how McMiller handled the situation afterward, which raised serious questions about her maturity and self-awareness. For a team like South Carolina, who needs stability and a strong team culture, she might not be the right fit.

Definitely a situation to keep an eye on as McMiller’s next move could shake things up in the coming weeks.