Future Hall of Famer Calls South Carolina Women's Basketball Product "Biggest Steal" of WNBA Draft Ta’Niya Latson, a standout player for the South Carolina women’s basketball team, was selected in the second round of the WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks with the No. 20 overall pick. While the selection was lower than many had anticipated, the move has sparked optimism among fans and analysts, particularly following praise from a future Hall of Famer who joined the Sparks’ organization. Nneka Ogwumike, a 10-time All-Star and former member of the Sparks, highlighted Latson’s potential during a press conference, calling her “the biggest steal” of the draft. Ogwumike emphasized Latson’s competitive drive, maturity, and ability to elevate her game, noting that these traits align with the qualities of a future star. Latson’s selection came as a surprise to many, including herself. During her introductory press conference with the Sparks, she admitted to being “shocked” by the late pick. However, she quickly shifted her focus to the opportunity to join the team. “It’s about fit, I feel like. Fit over pick,” she said, expressing her commitment to the Sparks despite the unexpected outcome. Her determination to prove herself mirrors the expectations she faced during her college career. The 2024 season marked a significant turning point for Latson. After transferring from the Florida State Seminoles, she joined South Carolina under the guidance of head coach Dawn Staley. The move allowed her to refine her all-around game, particularly as a defender, while also improving her offensive efficiency. At South Carolina, Latson averaged 14.1 points per game, shooting 48.6% from the field, 32.5% from three-point range, and 80.3% from the free-throw line.#dawn_staley #los_angeles_sparks #nneka_ogwumike #south_carolina_womens_basketball #ta_niya_latson
South Carolina women's basketball will face Southern Cal in the second round of the Women's NCAA Tournament on March 23. The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET and will be televised on ESPN, according to the program's announcement. The No. 1 seed Gamecocks, led by head coach Dawn Staley, defeated the No. 16 seed Southern 103-34 in their first-round matchup on March 21. The No. 9 Trojans, who advanced after a 71-67 overtime victory over No. 8 Clemson, will now face South Carolina in the Sacramento 4 Regional. A win on March 23 would position the Gamecocks to compete for the Sweet 16, Elite Eight, and ultimately a spot in the Final Four in Phoenix. The matchup marks the second meeting between the teams this season, following a November 15 game where South Carolina prevailed 69-52. JuJu Watkins, the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2024 from Los Angeles, had narrowed her college choice to Southern Cal and South Carolina before ultimately selecting the latter. In her first two seasons, Watkins emerged as one of the nation’s top scorers, averaging 27.1 points as a freshman and 23.9 as a sophomore. However, her season was interrupted by a significant injury—she tore her ACL in a second-round March Madness game exactly one year prior. Despite being in Columbia with her team, Watkins will not play in the upcoming matchup. The injury occurred shortly before Southern Cal and South Carolina announced a bicoastal series of games for 2025 and 2026, titled “The Real SC.” The first game in the series took place in Los Angeles in November, and the second is set for November 15, 2026, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville. This scheduling highlights the growing rivalry between the two programs, even as they remain on opposite sides of the bracket in the current tournament.#dawn_staley #bon_secours_wellness_arena #south_carolina_womens_basketball #southern_cal #juju_watkins
