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South Carolina women's basketball has the second-most players on Naismith watch list

The back-to-back National Champions find three of their starters on the Naismith Player of the Year watch list.

By Ericka Brockish

Apr 7, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Raven Johnson (25) reacts against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the finals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Raven Johnson (25) reacts against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the finals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images / Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
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South Carolina women's basketball is coming into this season at almost full strength, returning four of their five starters from their National Championship team last season. The back-to-back National Champions has one of the best rosters in women's college basketball as the season is set to begin within the next week.

With the season officially on the horizon, watch lists are beginning to roll out, and the most important watch lists have just dropped today. The Jersey Mike's Naismith Player of the Year watch list has dropped, and three Gamecocks have found their names listed. This award is given to the best player in women's college basketball, an award that was given to star guard Caitlin Clark out of Iowa for the past two seasons.

Sophomore MiLaysia Fulwiley, junior Raven Johnson, and senior Te-Hina Paopao all found their way onto the list for the upcoming season. South Carolina has the second most players on the list, behind Southern Cal, which has three players listed.

Fulwiley is heading into her second season with the Gamecocks after a lively freshman season, playing in 38 games, starting just three of them. The sophomore guard averaged 18.4 minutes per game, where she averaged 11.7 points per game, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. She also shot 43.8 percent from the floor and 34.3 percent from beyond the arc. Fuwiley also was named to the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award list, which is given to the nation's best shooting guard.

Johnson played in just two games in her first season with the Gamecocks and is heading into what will be her third full season under head coach Dawn Staley. Johnson had her best season last year, averaging 8.1 points per game, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. Johnson has also been named to the Nancy Lieberman Award watch list given to the country's top point guard as she will be the leading ball-handler for the Gamecocks.

Paopao is coming back as one of the Gamecocks most experienced players this season. After spending three seasons with the Oregon Ducks, the senior guard transferred to Staley's program and had a bit of a down season, but with the amount of talent on the South Carolina squad, she was a solid playmaker for the Gamecocks. Paopao averaged 11.0 points per game, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists.

The Oregon transfer has struggled with injuries throughout her career, with injuries such as ACL tears, a foot injury, and an ankle injury that sidelined her for a game in 2023. With Kamilla Cardoso gone this year after being drafted into the WNBA with the third overall pick by the Chicago Sky, Paopao could see her role grow even more this season.

The Jersey Mike's Naismith Player of the Year Award will be awarded to the winner on April 2, 2025. South Carolina has not had a winner since Aliyah Boston won back in 2022. The Gamecocks have only had two players win the prestigious award, with Boston winning it and Gamecocks legend A'ja Wilson winning it back in 2018.

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