Meet the Women's Basketball Newbies!

With all but one player returning from last year’s undefeated national championship team, South Carolina women’s basketball will be even deeper this year thanks to an outstanding class of newcomers joining a proven and talent-rich team.

Redshirt freshman Adhel Tac enrolled last January while rehabbing from knee surgery and the 6’5” forward has at least experienced day to day life with the program. Joining Tac are freshmen guard Maddy McDaniel and forward Joyce Edwards, along with junior transfer forward Maryam Dauda from Arkansas. They’re all eager to do their part and know competition for playing time will be keen.

“I come in as a point guard,” said McDaniel, a McDonald’s High School All-American from Maryland. “That’s where I’m most comfortable. Playing behind (R.Jr./Second Team All-SEC) Raven (Johnson) and learning is going to be good. It’s been competitive, and it has been a challenge because I’m used to being the best player on my team. So, to come in here and be challenged, it’s been really fun. The team is so family oriented. They brought us in with open arms. I knew this was the place to be to be my best self.

“I’m pass-first and fast paced at point guard. I’m playing with a lot of good players, so it’s about putting them in a good position.”

“We all know they went 38-0 last year,” said Edwards, who was the National High School Player of the Year from nearby Camden. “We know that when we come to practice, we have to get down to business. We can’t be the reason why we lose. We’re ready to work. We want to be just like them. That’s another thing that drew me to South Carolina. It’s hard to scout South Carolina because anyone can go off at any time. Look at Tessa (Johnson) in the national championship and Lay (Fulwiley) in the SEC Tournament. These were freshman that made a key impact.”

“At first I was a little nervous coming in,” said Dauda, who averaged 10.1 points and 6.3 rebounds for the Razorbacks last year. “My first practice, Coach Staley said she could see it in my face that I was nervous. She said it’s OK to be nervous. Everyone else came in and messed up a few times when they were new and going through the drills. You just have to keep going. Don’t stop playing. I felt like from that moment on, I was OK.

“I knew what I was signing up for coming in. I know how it is playing in the SEC. It’s going to be physical. Some nights, it’s not going to be my night. I shouldn’t let that bring my game down. I just have to fight and keep going. I will describe my game as versatile four player, or somewhat of a five. I can shoot the ball well from the three-point line and also stretch the floor out for the guards. Being able to shoot and creating a mismatch in the post is how I can help.”

The freshmen come in with plenty of accolades, but they understand that they don’t have to be the “star” right away.

“Pressure is only something you put on yourself,” Edwards said. “At the end of the day, I’m honored to get all those awards, but high school is done. College is a fresh new start. I go out there to practice, and all of them are stars in their own way. I’m just here to compete and get better every day.”

“At first, it’s not the easiest thing, but you have to think of the bigger picture,” McDaniel said. “You have to play as a team and do what you have to do to win. I don’t want to put myself in a box and say I have to just sit back and learn, but if that’s what I have to do, I ‘m willing to take that. I had a ‘welcome to the SEC’ moment one day with (junior forward) Ashlyn (Watkins) last week. I was coming down the lane, and I didn’t think she was there, but she was there! The ball went far into the chairs by the door.”

“Their system of playing is different from where I was at,” added Dauda. “I’m learning the ropes of everything, but the girls and the coaches have helped me through that transition. It’s been very competitive! I feel like I’m working well with the team and trying to mesh with everybody else.”

Edwards is no stranger to the Gamecocks, having attended camps as a youngster and even helping out on gamedays by being a floor mop attendant under the basket during games when a player hits the floor. She has also played against current teammate Ashlyn Watkins.

“We’re close,” Edwards said. “We’re competing. She is going to be stronger than me at this point, but I know it’s going to make me better.

“I went from mopping the floors and taking a picture with A’ja Wilson after the game to actually having a conversation with her about South Carolina and my transition here. It’s a full-circle moment.”

While she hasn’t played a game for the garnet and black yet, Edwards already has one unique distinction, as she will be the first player in the program to wear number 8 as the NCAA recently changed the rules allowing digits 6 through 9 on jerseys.

“I couldn’t have 12, so I wanted a new number that nobody had before,’ Edwards said. “It’s a fresh start. I want to make it iconic. That’s the goal. I just want to see the growth in me within the game of college basketball.”

When they’re away from the court, each has her own favorite pass time.

“Sleep!” said McDaniel, who is somewhat soft-spoken. “Being in a college, you definitely have to catch up on sleep! One day, you have workouts at night and then turn around and have practice at seven in the morning.”

“I like shopping,” said Dauda, who is studying economics. “Shopping and doing other little things like making TikToks. I’m planning on running my own business internationally. I want to have an apparel business because as a tall person we do not get much. We need more stuff for tall people. That’s what I’m planning on doing.”

“I like to watch movies, hang with my family, go shopping occasionally,” Edwards said. “I like turning on Disney movies and going to sleep.”

Check out more videos from their first meeting with the media.