South Carolina Women’s Basketball: The Gamecocks’ Quest for Leadership

Before the UConn game, Bob Joyce, the radio announcer for UConn, interviewed Brad Muller, the voice of the Gamecocks. Joyce asked Muller about the Gamecocks’ leaders, but Muller struggled to provide an answer.

On Wednesday, ahead of media availability, the discussion turned to identifying a key player to speak with. “We need one of the team leaders,” someone suggested. Yet, no one could pinpoint who that was.

This has become an ongoing concern for the Gamecocks this season: Who exactly is stepping up as a leader? Even head coach Dawn Staley doesn’t seem to have a clear answer. “Our most experienced players have to be better,” Staley remarked on Wednesday.

Last season, leadership wasn’t an issue for South Carolina. They lost just one player, Kamilla Cardoso, who wasn’t known for being a vocal leader. So, why is leadership a question this year?

It may not have been a concern last year because the Gamecocks weren’t really tested—they never had to fight back from a loss. There’s also the personality factor at play.

From an outsider’s perspective, leadership often gets boiled down to who delivers the fiery speeches to pump up the team. But the Gamecocks compensated for the absence of that type of leadership with an incredibly talented and competitive roster, all laser-focused on the ultimate goal of winning.

They rose to the challenge time and again—whether it was dealing with a loss to Iowa in the Final Four, Raven Johnson’s Revenge Tour, the controversy of not being ranked No. 1, or Cardoso’s suspension.

They didn’t forget how to compete—well, except for the UConn game. However, when you’re the defending champions, it’s harder to stay motivated. The chip on the shoulder isn’t as large, and the drive isn’t as intense.

Perhaps, being blown out by UConn could be the rallying point this season. It wasn’t just a loss—it was a humbling defeat. For the first time, South Carolina isn’t the favorite to win the championship.

With UConn’s commanding victory over South Carolina drawing 1.8 million viewers, the largest ESPN regular-season audience in 15 years, the question remains: has the chip returned for the Gamecocks?

That sense of leadership certainly surfaced in the Gamecocks’ victory over Arkansas, particularly from MiLaysia Fulwiley. She finished with 15 points, four rebounds, four assists, and a series of incredible plays that stood out.

“I didn’t think about the last game. I just focused on this game,” Fulwiley explained.

But Dawn Staley saw even more in Fulwiley’s performance. The sophomore, who is usually quiet, showed a more assertive side. “She was mad at the beginning,” Staley noted. “You can be mad and hold it in, or you can be mad and voice your opinion. And she was one that voiced her opinion. It’s good to hear it from a young player. A competitor doesn’t like anything about what happened. Not one thing, you know.”

Fulwiley’s competitive nature has become contagious. Zia Cooke spoke about how Fulwiley drives her teammates to elevate their game. “She really does that in practice,” said Laeticia Amihere. “But every time she does it, it’s a shocker. No matter how many times she does it, it’s just mind-blowing because you don’t see that every day.”

Aliyah Boston is another relatively quiet player, but through her performance, she has grown into a leader on the floor. Against Arkansas, Boston scored a team-high 18 points, with nine of those coming during a crucial 16-0 run in the third quarter.

“We knew we had to come in and execute and show the world who South Carolina is, remind the world who South Carolina is,” Boston said.

Other players also contributed to the win. Te-Hina Paopao had an off night with just four points on 1-5 shooting but contributed key plays in the third quarter, including a steal that led to a layup and a rebound that led to another basket for Edwards.

Staley also praised the likes of Raven Johnson, Choe Kitts, Sania Feagin, and Maryam Dauda for playing their roles effectively. Sometimes, leadership isn’t about speaking up but executing what the team needs.

Edwards and Fulwiley exemplify the type of leadership that can push the team forward. Despite any flaws, their competitiveness is undeniable, and that competitive fire can inspire the entire team to rise to the occasion.

“She’s grown, she really is growing,” Staley said of Fulwiley. “She’s learning. She’s more active in practice. She’s using her voice in practice. So it’s always a good thing when a young player starts to utilize their voice and understands their power.”

Do I buy into this newfound leadership from South Carolina?

Perhaps. I’ve certainly convinced myself.

But more importantly, I’ve seen enough of these Gamecocks to know: Never count them out.