Columbia's Ashlyn Watkins Chooses Gamecocks

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina head women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley announced that Ashlyn Watkins has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University and play for the Gamecocks. The Columbia, S.C., native will have four years of eligibility beginning with the 2022-23 academic year.
 
“We have known about Ashlyn since she was in the sixth grade, and it’s hard to believe the time has final come,” Staley said. “We are excited for our FAMS to see what this young woman is capable of. Her impact should be immediate on both sides of the ball.”
 
The 6-foot-3 Watkins is ranked No. 12 overall in the Class of 2022 and the No. 4 post player in the group. She helped Cardinal Newman, coached by Gamecock alumna Asia Dozier, to its third-straight South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) 3A State Championship in 2021, posting 23 points, 18 rebounds and five blocks in the title game. Watkins enters her senior season averaging 15.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.4 blocks for her career.
 
In October, Watkins helped Cardinal Newman to a runner-up finish in the SCISA 3A Volleyball State Championships after leading the squad to the state title in 2020.
 
Watkins joins Talaysia Cooper (Turbeville, S.C./East Clarendon) in Staley’s 2022 class.