South Carolina Women’s Basketball: Potential Transfer Portal Targets for the Gamecocks
As the college basketball landscape continues to evolve, one of the key aspects influencing team-building in women’s sports is the NCAA transfer portal. For programs like South Carolina, which has established itself as a perennial powerhouse under head coach Dawn Staley, the transfer portal offers the opportunity to add experienced talent and address immediate needs. With the Gamecocks coming off another successful season, their coaching staff will undoubtedly look to enhance their roster for the upcoming campaigns. The transfer portal can provide the Gamecocks with valuable assets to maintain their dominance and address any gaps on their team.
Here are several potential transfer portal targets who could fit into South Carolina’s system and help elevate the program even further.
1. Jada Williams (Guard, Missouri)
Jada Williams, a dynamic guard from Missouri, could be a great addition to South Carolina’s backcourt. Known for her explosive scoring ability and high basketball IQ, Williams has the ability to stretch the floor and create plays in transition. She’s also known for her ability to score both inside and beyond the arc, which would complement South Carolina’s aggressive, fast-paced offense.
South Carolina has had success developing versatile guards under Coach Staley, and Williams’ playmaking skills would give the Gamecocks another scoring option alongside established players like Zia Cooke. Her transition to a program with championship aspirations could help her grow even further while contributing immediately as a key player. Her ability to impact the game on both ends — offensively and defensively — fits well with the Gamecocks’ style of play, making her a strong potential target in the portal.
2. Destiny Thomas (Forward, Texas Tech)
A 6-foot-4 forward with an imposing presence in the paint, Destiny Thomas would add much-needed size and rebounding to South Carolina’s already deep frontcourt. Thomas is an outstanding rebounder, both offensively and defensively, and would help provide the Gamecocks with an even stronger rebounding presence, especially in tight games or during postseason play.
Thomas is also capable of scoring inside, utilizing her size and strength to overpower defenders in the paint. While South Carolina already boasts strong frontcourt players like Aliyah Boston and Kamilla Cardoso, Thomas would add depth and competition to an already loaded unit. Her size and toughness would make the Gamecocks even more difficult to contend with in the SEC and on the national stage, particularly against teams with strong inside games.
3. Sabrina Haines (Guard, Arizona)
Sabrina Haines, a sharpshooting guard from Arizona, is another potential transfer portal target for South Carolina. Known for her ability to shoot the ball at a high percentage from beyond the arc, Haines could be the Gamecocks’ answer to their outside shooting woes. South Carolina has typically thrived on inside play and defense, but Haines’ ability to space the floor with her shooting could make the Gamecocks’ offense even more dynamic and difficult to defend.
Her experience playing in high-pressure situations in the Pac-12 would bring valuable leadership to a team filled with talented but sometimes young players. Her shooting ability would allow South Carolina to stretch the floor and provide more offensive variety, particularly in critical moments when the Gamecocks need to create space or add another scoring threat. Haines’ leadership and veteran experience would also bring stability to the backcourt.
4. Taylor Jones (Forward, Oregon State)
Taylor Jones, a standout forward from Oregon State, has been one of the most consistent players in the Pac-12 and could provide an instant impact at South Carolina. Known for her high basketball IQ, defensive abilities, and scoring versatility, Jones could slide into the Gamecocks’ frontcourt as a hybrid forward. She is capable of scoring both inside and from mid-range, and her ability to defend multiple positions would make her an ideal fit in South Carolina’s aggressive defensive scheme.
Jones’ ability to contribute on both ends of the floor would give the Gamecocks a much-needed multi-dimensional forward who could play alongside the likes of Aliyah Boston or Kamilla Cardoso. Her leadership and poise under pressure would also complement the Gamecocks’ emphasis on team chemistry, and her experience in high-stakes games would make her a valuable asset during tournament play.
5. Michaela Onyenwere (Forward, UCLA)
Though Onyenwere has already made a name for herself in the WNBA, a potential return to college for her would shake up the landscape of women’s college basketball. The 6-foot-1 forward, a former standout at UCLA, is known for her explosive scoring and athleticism. While it might be a long shot for Onyenwere to return to the college ranks, if she were to enter the portal for any reason, South Carolina would be wise to pursue her.
Onyenwere is known for her scoring prowess, especially in transition and in pick-and-roll situations, where she excels at using her speed and agility to create mismatches. Adding a player of her caliber to an already stacked roster would give South Carolina another elite scorer and versatile forward to pair with its current stars. Onyenwere’s high-level experience would also provide the Gamecocks with a player who has thrived in the highest levels of competition, making her an ideal fit for a championship-contending program like South Carolina.
6. Cameron Brink (Forward, Stanford)
Another potential high-impact target in the transfer portal could be Cameron Brink, a 6-foot-4 forward from Stanford. While Brink has been an integral part of the Cardinal for multiple seasons, her combination of size, skill, and versatility makes her a potential difference-maker for South Carolina. Brink is an elite shot blocker, a fantastic rebounder, and a developing offensive threat. She can stretch the floor with her shooting and finish inside, providing the Gamecocks with both scoring and defensive stability.
The addition of Brink would give South Carolina another elite shot blocker to complement Aliyah Boston and Kamilla Cardoso in the paint. Brink’s ability to play both as a traditional forward and a stretch-five would also provide Coach Staley with more lineup flexibility and depth. A player with Brink’s skill set could help the Gamecocks continue their dominance in the SEC and nationally, especially with her defensive capabilities being a strong asset in postseason play.
7. Maddy Siegrist (Forward, Villanova)
One of the most exciting potential transfers could be Maddy Siegrist, a highly skilled forward from Villanova who has consistently been one of the top players in the nation. Known for her scoring ability, Siegrist is a versatile forward who can contribute as a shooter from beyond the arc, but also inside the paint. Her athleticism and motor allow her to be an outstanding rebounder, and her offensive efficiency would make her a seamless fit with South Carolina’s up-tempo, high-scoring style of play.
Siegrist has proven herself as one of the best players in the Big East and could bring that same level of elite production to South Carolina. With the Gamecocks’ strong program culture, Siegrist would likely thrive as part of the team’s high-energy defense and fast-break offense. Her addition would make South Carolina even more dangerous offensively, providing another prolific scorer and defender who can contribute at a high level in every phase of the game.
8. Jordan Horston (Guard, Tennessee)
While the Gamecocks have a deep and talented backcourt, adding a player like Jordan Horston from Tennessee would only bolster their already formidable roster. Horston, known for her versatility as a guard, can play multiple positions and is known for her high basketball IQ, passing ability, and scoring capacity. She has the ability to control the pace of a game and make clutch plays in critical moments, which would add leadership and veteran experience to the South Carolina lineup.
Horston’s experience in the SEC would also help the Gamecocks maintain their edge in conference play, as she has faced some of the toughest competition in the country during her time at Tennessee. Her defensive tenacity and ability to contribute in various aspects of the game would make her a valuable asset for Coach Staley’s squad.