OPINION: Can Kamilla Cardoso Be This Year's Aliyah Boston Or Better?
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley has raved numerous times that Kamilla Cardoso has another gear she hasn't tapped into yet. Similar to Aliyah Boston, coach Staley feels that Cardoso needs to be more assertive offensively. It was brought up numerous times last year that Boston was too passive at times, deferring to teammates who weren't as efficient as far as their shooting percentage was concerned.
"She's very, very unselfish and a lot of times, much like Aliyah, will pass out to people who shoot half her field goal percentage," Staley explained. "Can't do that. You can't. You've got to bet on yourself sometimes."
This year's team is a lot different when it comes to scoring the basketball. The basketball aficionados will quickly tell you that the Gamecocks mustn't go cold offensively in big games if they want to hoist up a trophy in March. I believe the more dominant the 6-foot-7 center plays, the more likely this year's team can officially reclaim the top perch in the sport.
Before this season, Cardoso came off the bench, knowing that she'd be a starter for the 2023-2024 campaign, and took her conditioning work to a new level this off-season, knowing it would help her take that next step.
Kamilla Cardoso looks to put a shot back up against Mississippi Valley State (24th Nov., 2023)
Jeff Blake | USA Today Network
Likely in the best shape of her life, the senior center is playing at a Nasmith Player Of the Year level, averaging a double-double of 14.7 points, and 10.9 rebounds per game, along with 3.1 blocks. We all know what type of player Aliyah Boston was, but Cardoso, who is two inches taller with a longer wing span and superb athleticism, is likelier to strike fear into opponents.
I'm no fool. I'm well aware of the extensive resume Aliyah has, being named a two-time Naismith Defensive Player of The Year, four-time All-SEC selection, four-time Lisa Leslie Award winner, and the 2021-22 Nasmith Player Of the Year, but let us not forget that Cardoso was an ACC Co-Defensive Player Of the Year as a Freshman in 2020-21, and a 2020 McDonalds All-American.
It has been said multiple times that this year's team is better than last year's near-perfect team. It remains to be seen, but two things are certain about this team: 1. They are a lot more versatile offensively. 2. They are just as good defensively, allowing an average of just 52.2 points in their first nine games to last year's 46.7 points.
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