The South Carolina women's basketball program is gearing up for the upcoming 2026-27 season. As head coach Dawn Staley gets her players prepared, one of her Gamecocks was selected to play overseas for the Brazil national team.
This week, South Carolina sophomore Ayla McDowell was named to the Brazilian senior national team, and she will compete in FIBA's South American Qualifier next week. McDowell, who is from Cypress, Texas, is able to play for the team since her mother was born in Brazil.
Previously, she represented her mother's home country three times, with the senior team at the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup, as well as the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup Americup. During that tournament, she was the team's high scorer, averaging 16.8 points per game, adding another 4.5 rebounds and 2.7 steals per contest.
During the 2025 AmeriCup, she also played alongside current Chicago Sky star and former Gamecock Kamilla Cardoso.
Last season as a true freshman in Columbia, McDowell played in 36 games, averaging 4.1 points per game with 1.4 rebounds and she shot 40.5% from the floor. As she enters her sophomore season, she is expected to be more heavily involved in South Carolina's rotation.
Getting more international experience under her belt will help her do just that. Coach Staley has been encouraging of her players doing so. Earlier this summer, Joyce Edwards and Kelsi Andrews have suited up for Team USA in the FIBA 3x3, helping the team win gold. Agot Makeer has also suited up for Team Canada, and Alicia Tournebize has played for the French team.
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