Women's Fastbreak On SI

Dawn Staley Sends Strong Message to Departing South Carolina Transfer

South Carolina Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley addressed one of her former players transferring to a new school.
Grant Young|
Apr 4, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley reacts during the first half in a semifinal of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament against the Texas Longhorns at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Apr 4, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley reacts during the first half in a semifinal of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament against the Texas Longhorns at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The South Carolina Gamecocks have experienced a lot of roster changes since their 2024-25 NCAA season ended with a defeat to the UConn Huskies in the national championship game on April 6.

Three Gamecocks were selected in the 2025 WNBA Draft. There were guard Te-Hina Paopao (who the Atlanta Dream selected with the No. 18 overall pick), veteran Bree Hall (who the Indiana Fever selected with the No. 20 overall pick), and post player Sania Feagin (who the Los Angeles Sparks selected with the No. 21 overall pick).

What's more, Dawn Staley's squad has two notable incoming transfers. These include former Florida State standout Ta'Niya Latson (who led the NCAA in scoring last season) and former Mississippi State center Madina Okot.

However, it's the players who transferred out of South Carolina that have made the biggest waves; specifically star guard MiLaysia Fulwiley, who announced her commitment to the LSU Tigers on April 25.

But Fulwiley isn't the only Gamecocks player to transfer, as senior center Sakima Walker also entered the NCAA transfer portal.

And on April 26, Walker announced her commitment to the University of California, Berkeley with an X post that featured photos of her wearing Cal's jersey with the caption, "Trusting God’s plan EVERY step of the way. Grateful for where I’ve been, excited for where i’m going. #GoBears #thisonespersonal".

It didn't take Dawn Staley long to comment on Walker's commitment, as she responded to the X post and wrote, "All you Kim! Cali is up and so are you!"

Staley is clearly happy for her former player. It will be interesting to see if she ever says anything about Fulwiley transferring to her team's bitter SEC rival, LSU.

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Grant Young
GRANT YOUNG

Grant Young covers Women’s Basketball, the New York Yankees, and the New York Mets for Sports Illustrated’s ‘On SI’ sites. He holds an MFA degree in creative writing from the University of San Francisco (USF), where he also graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and played on USF’s Division I baseball team for five years. However, he now prefers Angel Reese to Angels in the Outfield.

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