South Carolina Basketball: Gamecock center receives major awards

After a strong first week to the season, Dawn Staley’s South Carolina basketball team has received a lot of praise.

The two top-15 wins over Notre Dame and Maryland were enough to push the 6th-ranked Gamecocks up to the top spot in the AP poll, and several Gamecock players have received individual notoriety.

Freshman guard MiLaysia Fulwiley had the top play of the first week, wowing South Carolina basketball fans with a behind-the-back fast break layup that had the whole Magic Johnson calling it the “best move in all of basketball.”

Gamecock center Kamilla Cardoso had a big week, as well, and the college basketball world took notice.

After averaging 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks (while shooting almost 70% from the field and playing just 24 minutes each game) in the two big Gamecock wins, Cardoso was named the SEC’s Player of the Week and one of five National Players of the Week by the United States Basketball Writers Association.

After playing a major role off the bench for the Gamecocks in recent seasons, Cardoso is now tasked as being Dawn Staley’s dominant paint presence, following in the footsteps of all-time legends in the sport like Aliyah Boston and A’ja Wilson. So far, she seems ready to fill that role.

Cardoso is no stranger to awards and lists for on-court excellence. She was last season’s SEC Sixth Woman of the Year and is on the preseason watchlist for the Wade Trophy (National Player of the Year), John Wooden Award (National Player of the Year), Lisa Leslie Award (National Center of the Year), and many preseason All-SEC and All-American lists.

Cardoso and the Gamecocks will play again on Thursday against the rival Clemson Tigers. The game will be at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia and will tip at 7:00. Fans can watch the game on the SECNetwork and the ESPN app.