South Carolina women's basketball star Joyce Edwards ended an incredible summer by leading Team USA to another title and gold medal, this time at the 2025 FIBA 3x3 Nations League Americas Conference in Punta Arenas, Chile. Edwards was the top scorer for the United States, averaging 7.9 points per game over 11 outings, including four double-figure scoring games. Team USA won four of the six stops that made up the weeklong tournament and secured the overall event crown. In the four stops that Edwards appeared in, she was dominant in the paint, totaling 23 points over two of those victories.
This 3x3 victory was just the latest chapter in Edwards' international dominance on the court. Earlier this summer, she helped Team USA win the 2025 FIBA Women's AmeriCup in Santiago, Chile, marking her third consecutive gold medal in as many competitive summers for USA Basketball. At the AmeriCup, she was a consistent force, starting all of the seven games and averaging 9.9 points and 5.6 rebounds.
At the AmeriCup, Team USA overcame a tough battle against the Brazilian squad that featured former Gamecock standout Kamilla Cardoso as well as incoming freshman Ayla McDowell. The 92-84 victory sealed the title for the U.S. and added another moment in the spotlight for Edwards. In that game, she scored 11 points and grabbed seven boards in the final.
For Joyce Edwards, every time she has worn the red, white, and blue jersey for Team USA in international competition, she has come home a champion. From a gold medal at the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup, to the 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup MVP, followed by the AmeriCup 2025, and now Nations League 3x3 victory, her international resume is spotless.
Why it matters to Gamecock Nation
- Consistency under pressure: Across all formats, domestic and international, both 5x5 and 3x3, Edwards remains a top performer.
- Versatility and stamina: Edwards manages play in multiple stops, shifting between full-court AmeriCup and 3x3 action showcases her elite adaptability.
- A rising star and rising stock: After earning SEC Freshman of the Week honors, All-SEC and Freshman Team recognition, Edwards is building a legacy on the court, stateside and worldwide.
As Edwards returns to Columbia for the upcoming season, Gamecock fans should expect to see big plays for the 2025-26 season. With international golds in every Team USA appearance and a 3x3 title, Edwards is firmly planting herself as one of the premier young talents in college basketball, and a cornerstone for Dawn Staley's program.