South Carolina women’s basketball: How Joyce Edwards compares to other Gamecock greats
Joyce Edwards arrived in Columbia with more than just national accolades—she carried the weight of expectation, legacy, and the future of South Carolina women’s basketball on her shoulders. A generational talent from Camden, South Carolina, Edwards chose to stay home and play for Dawn Staley’s powerhouse program, a decision that instantly stirred comparisons to Gamecock legends like A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, and Tiffany Mitchell. With a combination of length, skill, defensive intensity, and a fiery competitive edge, Edwards enters college as perhaps the most heralded freshman since Wilson, and the comparisons are only just beginning.
The first thing that sets Edwards apart is her versatility. At 6-foot-2, she doesn’t fit neatly into one positional box—she’s long enough to play inside, quick enough to defend the perimeter, and polished enough offensively to create her own shot off the dribble or in the post. Her two-way game is rare for her age, and that’s what made her a five-star prospect and the No. 2 player in the nation. For those who have watched South Carolina’s dominance over the last decade, Edwards seems to be cut from the same cloth as Wilson and Boston in terms of dominance—but her game bears similarities to both and yet remains distinctly her own.
A’ja Wilson will always be the gold standard of South Carolina basketball. She was the program’s first national player of the year, first national champion, and the centerpiece of Dawn Staley’s rise to prominence. Wilson was dominant in the paint, a force on both ends of the floor, and an emotional leader whose presence elevated everyone around her. Joyce Edwards, while still untested at the collegiate level, brings the same aura of inevitability. She was the Gatorade National Player of the Year and an all-world performer on the USA Basketball U19 squad. Her ability to lead, compete, and dominate reminds many in Columbia of a young Wilson—especially when considering that Wilson, too, decided to stay home when she could have gone anywhere.
Aliyah Boston took the torch from Wilson and ran with it, redefining post dominance in a new era. Boston was known for her rebounding, positioning, and ability to anchor a defense like a fortress. Her poise and professionalism made her one of the most efficient and reliable players in the sport, and her career will likely lead to a statue next to Wilson’s outside Colonial Life Arena. Where Edwards diverges from Boston is in offensive range and mobility. Edwards is quicker laterally, with a guard’s first step and a forward’s finishing ability. She’s capable of knocking down threes, attacking in transition, and switching across all five positions defensively. She isn’t just a post—she’s a matchup nightmare.
What’s unique about Edwards is her high school resume. She scored over 4,000 career points in South Carolina high school play, dominated every major event she entered, and was a walking double-double by the time she was 16. Her decision to remain at home felt like a coronation—Dawn Staley had once again secured the future by landing a local star. That decision wasn’t just about basketball; it was about legacy. Edwards wanted to be the next Gamecock great, not just a name in a long list of All-Americans. She wanted to be the name.
Then there’s the intangibles. Tiffany Mitchell, while perhaps less decorated than Wilson or Boston in terms of championships, was a defining leader in the early days of South Carolina’s rise. Her grit, toughness, and ability to hit big shots made her an icon, and her impact on the program set the stage for everything that followed. Edwards has that same fire. Watch her play and you’ll see a competitor who doesn’t take possessions off, who thrives on contact, and who brings a contagious energy to every game. Coaches rave about her leadership, her hunger to learn, and her desire to elevate her teammates. She’s not just a scorer—she’s a presence.
Comparing Edwards to South Carolina’s greats means putting her in the most elite company in women’s college basketball. A’ja Wilson became a WNBA MVP. Boston is on her way to a long professional career. Mitchell is still playing at the highest level. Even players like Zia Cooke, Destanni Henderson, and Alaina Coates brought national titles and historic moments to the program. Edwards will be expected to do the same—carry a championship torch, uphold a culture of excellence, and ensure the Gamecocks remain the national standard.
But what makes Edwards even more intriguing is the context she’s entering. South Carolina is fresh off another dominant season. The Gamecocks are no longer building—they’re sustaining. With a loaded roster that includes veterans, rising stars, and one of the most complete coaching staffs in America, Edwards doesn’t have to carry the load immediately. She’ll be allowed to develop within a championship system, just as Wilson and Boston did. That’s where Staley excels—bringing in elite talent, letting it marinate, and then unleashing it when it’s ready.
In that sense, Edwards may be more dangerous than any freshman in recent memory. Her learning curve will be steep, yes, but her ceiling might be even higher than those who came before her. The Gamecocks will likely deploy her in multiple roles—at the 3, 4, and maybe even 5 in small-ball looks. She’s agile enough to switch screens, strong enough to hold her ground in the post, and skilled enough to score from all three levels. And as her body matures and she adjusts to the speed of the college game, there’s little doubt she’ll become one of the most unstoppable players in the country.
Recruiting insiders have long said that Edwards’ game was built for the next level. Her ability to process the game quickly, make smart decisions with the ball, and impact winning in multiple ways makes her more than just a scorer or defender—she’s a culture
