South Carolina women’s basketball announced that point guard Maddy McDaniel has officially withdrawn from the university, ending her time with the program less than a month after initially taking a leave of absence for mental health reasons. McDaniel first communicated her intention to step back on July 16, describing the decision as the strongest action she could take. Coach Dawn Staley supported the decision at that time and reiterated her backing following the official withdrawal announcement.
McDaniel’s departure creates a significant roster challenge for the Gamecocks. The 5-foot-9 guard appeared in 19.7 minutes per game off the bench during the previous season, averaging 4.3 points and 2.7 assists. Although these statistics were modest, McDaniel was positioned to assume substantially increased responsibilities this season following the departure of star point guard Raven Johnson to the WNBA. With Johnson leaving and McDaniel now gone, South Carolina finds itself without a true point guard despite boasting considerable depth at other positions and having added Texas transfer Jordan Lee during the offseason.
In her statement, Staley emphasized the program’s ongoing respect for McDaniel’s choices: “She has been a valued part of our program’s success, and she and her family will always be part of our Gamecock family.” The coach wished McDaniel well as she determines her next steps both athletically and personally.
McDaniel’s withdrawal leaves the Gamecocks with 14 players on the roster and one open scholarship spot. Staley has several options to fill the vacancy, including recruiting a high school graduate who is graduating early, signing an international player mid-season, or potentially utilizing the recent eligibility ruling that restored another year for certain members of the high school class of 2022. The South Carolina women’s basketball team will begin its 2026-27 season against Maryland on Nov. 2 in Paris, France.
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