Edwards Named to Katrina McClain Watchlist

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina sophomore Joyce Edwards earned a spot on the Katrina McClain Power Forward of the Year Preseason Top 20 Watchlist, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in partnership with the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced today. It is the second times in as many seasons that she has been on the list.

Edwards, who was named to the Naismith Trophy Watch List earlier today, was the Gamecocks’ top scorer last season at 12.7 points per game and third in rebounding at 5.0 per outing. Her consistent production in her first season yielded All-SEC First-Team and All-America honorable mention honors. Her 57.2 percent field goal shooting ranked second in the SEC, and she set the program’s record for free throw percentage by a freshman (.777). Edwards earned a spot on the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament team behind her 11.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game in the last weekend of the season. In the offseason, Edwards was part of the United States’ gold medal team at the FIBA AmeriCup, and she also competed for USA Basketball the FIBA 3×3 Nations League Americas Conference 2.

Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting in each of the three rounds starting on Fri., Oct. 31. In late January, the watch list of 20 players will be narrowed to 10, and then in late February to just five. In March, the finalists will be presented to McClain and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee, which will select the winner.

The winner of the 2026 Cheryl Miller Award will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the other four members of the Men’s and Women’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Nancy Lieberman Award (Point Guard), Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (Shooting Guard), Cheryl Miller Award (Small Forward) and Lisa Leslie Award (Center).

No. 2/2 South Carolina will play its second exhibition game of the season tonight, facing No. 11/11 North Carolina at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster. The Gamecocks’ home opener is set for Mon., Nov. 3, when they will host Grand Canyon at Colonial Life Arena in a 7 p.m. tipoff that will be streamed on SECN+.

Continue to check GamecocksOnline.com and the team’s social media accounts (@GamecockWBB) for more information on the program.

2025-26 Katrina McClain Power Forward of the Year Award Preseason Watchlist
Sunaja Agara, Stanford
Meghan Anderson, Fairfield
Janiah Barker, Tennessee
Sienna Betts, UCLA
Addy Brown, Iowa State
Essence Cody, Alabama
Maggie Doogan, Richmond
Joyce Edwards, South Carolina
Toby Fournier, Duke
Amiya Joyner, LSU
Allie Kubek, Florida State
Latasha Lattimore, Ole Miss
Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, Baylor
Mir McLean, Maryland
Khamil Pierre, NC State
Natalie Potts, Nebraska
Sa’Myah Smith, Virginia
Sarah Strong, UConn
Hannah Stuelke, Iowa
Sacha Washington, Vanderbilt