South Carolina women’s basketball SEC Media Days 2025 lineup is set, and it’s a headliner: Dawn Staley will be flanked in Birmingham by senior forward Chloe Kitts, sophomore scorer Joyce Edwards, and high‑octane transfer guard Ta’Niya Latson.
The who, when and where
The SEC confirmed the attendee list for SEC Tipoff ’26 (the league’s basketball media days) in Birmingham, Alabama, on Monday, Oct. 14. Staley addresses reporters 11:50 a.m.–12:05 p.m. ET, followed by Kitts, Edwards and Latson from 12:05–12:15 p.m. ET. Portions will air on SEC Network and stream in the ESPN app. (SEC announcement; On3 schedule details)
You can expect the usual bustle—bright lights, a wall of cameras and that steady hum that spikes as the Gamecocks enter the room. Staley, crisp and composed, takes the podium. To her right: three very different, very dangerous weapons.
Why these three matter
Chloe Kitts (Sr., F) — The 6‑2 forward is the reigning SEC Tournament MVP, the player who steadied South Carolina’s title game push last March and grabbed the trophy in Greenville. She averaged 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds as a junior and has now made back‑to‑back national title game appearances. (SEC recap naming Kitts MVP; Gamecocks bio)
Joyce Edwards (So., F) — The freshman‑turned‑spark plug led the 2024‑25 Gamecocks in scoring at 12.7 points per game—most of it coming off the bench—and flashed star power with 28 against Florida in February. Expect her to walk on stage with the calm of someone who’s already delivered in big moments. (USC bio; ESPN game recap)
Ta’Niya Latson (Sr., G, transfer) — One of the splashiest portal gets of the offseason, Latson arrives from Florida State after leading the nation in scoring (25.2 ppg) in 2024‑25. She brings a first‑step that jolts a gym and a scoring mentality to match. (ESPN stats)
Framing the moment
South Carolina’s standard is as high as it gets. The Gamecocks steamrolled through the SEC last March and reached the 2025 national championship game, falling to UConn, a reminder of how thin the margins are at the sport’s mountaintop. (NCAA.com championship recap)
That backdrop gives Monday’s microphones extra weight. Media days won’t settle anything, but they do set tone. Staley’s group tends to use these settings to underline identity—defense first, depth everywhere—and to drip a few hints about rotation.
What we’ll be listening for
Health & usage of Chloe Kitts. After her MVP week in Greenville, is she trending toward an expanded offensive role, or does she remain the glue who punishes mismatches and cleans the glass? (Greenville News coverage of Kitts’ MVP)
Edwards’ next leap. She led the team in scoring as a freshman. Does she start from Day 1 now? What tweaks have come in her face‑up game and mid‑post reads? (USC bio confirms 12.7 ppg and team‑high totals)
How Latson fits next to Raven Johnson & Co. Ball in her hands or off actions? Expect questions about pace, spacing and how Staley staggers minutes to keep a three‑guard punch on the floor. (ESPN preseason look mentions South Carolina with Latson)
The bigger picture
The Gamecocks remain a preseason favorite in most corners, and the SEC—deep as ever—will chase them again. The SEC Network turning the Tipoff into an all‑day look‑in adds a nationwide spotlight. (SEC announcement)
And yes, there’s the UConn shadow. April’s 82–59 title game stung, but it also sharpened roles. Media days are where you hear how much that loss fueled the summer. Was the emphasis on shooting volume, turnover control, or doubling down on that throttling defense that carried them through March? (AP recap of the title game)
Quick facts
Event: SEC Tipoff ’26 (basketball media days)
City: Birmingham, Alabama
Date: Monday, Oct. 14 (women’s and men’s teams both appear; USC slated for Day 1)
TV/Stream: SEC Network / ESPN app
USC Women’s Participants: Coach Dawn Staley; players Chloe Kitts (Sr., F), Joyce Edwards (So., F), Ta’Niya Latson (Sr., G)
Why fans should tune in
Because this isn’t just talk. It’s a first, clear look at how Staley wants to blend experience (Kitts), emerging star power (Edwards) and elite shot‑making (Latson) into a rotation built to reclaim April. You’ll hear about pace, lineups, and challenges from rivals—then you’ll feel that familiar hum: the sense that another long run is out there for the taking.
If you’re circling the calendar, set a reminder for 11:50 a.m. ET on Oct. 14 and lock in to SEC Network. The South Carolina women’s basketball SEC Media Days 2025 lineup will be on the mics, and the season rhythm starts with what they say next.
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