Dawn Staley strikes once again; three South Carolina hoopers added to Naismith Player of the Year Watch List

Coach Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks will begin their 2024-25 season on a high note, as three players were featured on the Naismith Player of the Year Watch List. In the announcement made on Monday, MiLaysia Fulwiley, Raven Johnson and Te-Hina Paopao made the final cut.

Paopao and Johnson were nominees last year as well. They played a crucial role in South Carolina's undefeated run to the 2024 NCAA championship and are expected to retain their starting positions.

This year will be the final season for Te-Hina Paopao while Raven Johnson will be playing her redshirt junior year. Both point guards are also added to the Nancy Lieberman Award preseason watch list.

MiLaysia Fulwiley captured everyone's attention in her first year at South Carolina and averaged 11.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.7 steals in 18.4 minutes of game time. Fulwiley started in three games last season but is expected to be promoted to the starting five for her sophomore year.

Despite having lost Kamilla Cardoso to the WNBA, South Carolina will go into the 2024-25 season as the favorite to repeat its title win. This is because Dawn Staley has managed to retain most of her championship-winning roster

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Dawn Staley points out strengths and weaknesses of the South Carolina roster

Despite being ranked No. 1 on most preseason polls, Dawn Staley believes the current South Carolina team lacks the proper experience needed to replicate last year's success. Speaking about her team after Monday night's 126-42 win over Clayton State in an exhibition game, Staley said:

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"I think what we are lacking is getting out there in front of a crowd, playing someone other than our (practice players), we just need more experience and we probably won't get that until next week this time, and hopefully we'll have enough in the tank to win a basketball game at a neutral site.

"Each team is trying to find what their identity is and for us, we are trying to figure it out without having a dominant big."

At the same time, Dawn Staley also praised the team for its camaraderie and willingness to work together. When asked what makes her team stand out, she said:

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"It's trusting your process. It's blending work and joy. It's walking to every arena and seeing Garnet and Black and showing the fans, our fans, they're pretty special.

"It's having faith in the people standing next to you and celebrating their successes as much as your own. It's believing in the unexpected. It's uncommon."

The South Carolina Gamecocks will begin their 2024-25 season on Nov. 4 against Michigan.

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