Dawn Staley Has Three South Carolina Stars in the Running for College Basketball’s Biggest Individual Honor

South Carolina women’s basketball has another reason to enter the 2026-27 season with high expectations. Three Gamecocks have earned places on the 2026-27 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Women’s College Player of the Year Preseason Watch List, placing Dawn Staley’s program among the nation’s leaders in preseason representation.

The 50-player watch list, announced on October 29 by the Atlanta Tipoff Club, features three South Carolina players: forward Chloe Kitts, junior forward Joyce Edwards and senior guard Tessa Johnson.

South Carolina is one of only three programs with three players on the list, joining LSU and UConn. The recognition also reflects the level of individual talent returning to Columbia as the Gamecocks prepare for another demanding season.

Joyce Edwards, Tessa Johnson and Chloe Kitts Receive National Recognition

Edwards enters her junior season after establishing herself as one of the most productive players in women’s college basketball. She averaged 19.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game last season, leading South Carolina in both categories.

Her sophomore campaign also included several program records, including a new single-season scoring record with 768 points. She earned second-team All-American recognition and first-team All-SEC honors, further strengthening her reputation as one of the country’s leading young players.

Johnson also secured a place on the watch list after an impressive season. The senior guard averaged 12.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 44.8 percent from three-point range.

Her perimeter shooting became an important part of South Carolina’s offensive identity. Johnson made 90 three-pointers last season, the third-highest single-season total in program history. She also earned second-team All-SEC recognition.

Kitts completes the South Carolina trio. Her inclusion is particularly notable because she missed the entire 2025-26 season after suffering an ACL injury before the campaign began.

Before the injury, Kitts had established herself as an important contributor to Staley’s frontcourt. During the 2024-25 season, she averaged 10.2 points and a team-leading 7.7 rebounds per game. She also earned SEC Tournament MVP honors and helped South Carolina reach another Final Four.

Her return gives the Gamecocks an experienced frontcourt presence as they pursue another national championship.

SEC Programs Well Represented on the Watch List

The Southeastern Conference has 12 players represented among the 50 candidates, making it one of the strongest conferences on the list.

Other SEC players include LSU’s MiLaysia Fulwiley, Jada Williams and Mikaylah Williams, Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes, Texas’ Madison Booker and Kentucky’s Clara Strack.

The presence of several SEC standouts suggests that the conference will again feature considerable individual talent during the 2026-27 campaign.

South Carolina’s three selections are particularly significant because they represent different areas of the roster. Edwards provides scoring and rebounding, Johnson offers perimeter production, while Kitts brings experience and versatility to the frontcourt.

South Carolina Begins Its Championship Pursuit Against Maryland

Staley’s team enters the new season with substantial expectations following its appearance in last season’s national championship game, where South Carolina finished as runner-up to UCLA.

The returning core, combined with additional talent on the roster, gives the Gamecocks several options as they attempt to return to the top of women’s college basketball.

However, the Naismith recognition is only a preseason distinction. The players will need to maintain their production throughout the season to remain in contention for the individual award.

South Carolina begins its 2026-27 campaign against No. 20 Maryland on Monday, November 2, in Paris, France. The game provides the first opportunity for Edwards, Johnson and the returning Gamecocks to demonstrate what they can accomplish together this season.

The Naismith Trophy is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in women’s college basketball. South Carolina has previously had two winners: A’ja Wilson in 2018 and Aliyah Boston in 2022.

With three players now included on the preseason watch list, the Gamecocks have multiple candidates who could make their mark in the national Player of the Year conversation.