Maryam Dauda: Can She Be This Year’s Sania Feagin?

The University of South Carolina women’s basketball program has become a powerhouse in the NCAA, thanks to its storied history, coaching under Dawn Staley, and a series of impressive recruits. Each season brings with it a new crop of talented players ready to contribute to the team’s pursuit of excellence. One of the most intriguing questions going into this season is whether Maryam Dauda, the sophomore forward, can step into a significant role and become this year’s version of Sania Feagin—a breakout player who elevates her game and makes a big impact.

To understand why this comparison between Dauda and Feagin is being made, it’s important to first analyze what Feagin brought to the team in her standout season and why she was such a valuable asset. From there, we can explore Maryam Dauda’s potential and how her skill set, work ethic, and development in the South Carolina system could see her follow in Feagin’s footsteps.

Sania Feagin’s Breakout Season

Sania Feagin, who was recruited by South Carolina in 2021 as part of their top-tier recruiting class, quickly made her mark as a versatile forward capable of contributing on both ends of the floor. In her sophomore season, she became a key rotational player for the Gamecocks, providing much-needed depth in the frontcourt. She was known for her athleticism, rebounding prowess, and her ability to stretch the floor with her outside shooting. Feagin’s versatility as a forward allowed Coach Dawn Staley to utilize her in a variety of roles, making her a valuable asset off the bench and at times, in starting positions.

Feagin’s breakout season was defined by her strong defense, an area where she quickly demonstrated her capabilities. She had a unique blend of agility and physicality that allowed her to guard multiple positions and contribute significantly on the glass. Offensively, she wasn’t just a finisher around the rim—she was capable of stepping out and hitting mid-range shots, providing another dimension to the team’s offensive game plan. Feagin’s development into a more reliable scoring option made her a vital contributor to South Carolina’s depth.

The Gamecocks’ success was also a product of their ability to develop players like Feagin, who, in her second year, embraced a bigger role. By the time the postseason rolled around, Feagin’s presence was undeniable, and she became one of the team’s go-to players in clutch moments. For South Carolina to win championships, players like Feagin were going to have to step up, and she did just that.

The Rise of Maryam Dauda

Maryam Dauda, a Nigerian-born forward who joined South Carolina’s program as part of a class that was ranked among the nation’s best, is seen by many as the next in line to take on a key role in the team’s frontcourt. Dauda, a 6’4” powerhouse, is a dynamic and physical player who shows flashes of brilliance in her game. While she may not have had the same immediate impact as some of her more heralded peers, there’s no doubt that her skill set and potential make her an intriguing prospect for the Gamecocks this season.

Dauda’s ability to play in both the post and on the perimeter gives her a lot of versatility, which is one of the key traits that made Feagin so successful. In her freshman season, Dauda was still adjusting to the speed and intensity of the college game, but she showed glimpses of why she was highly regarded coming into South Carolina. Her length and shot-blocking ability immediately stood out, and with further development, she could evolve into a dominant defender in the paint.

However, to truly live up to the potential that some see in her, Dauda will need to take significant strides in other aspects of her game—particularly her offensive consistency and court awareness. While she certainly has the raw talent, the key to her becoming a major contributor will be her ability to harness that potential and perform at a high level when it matters most.

What Makes Dauda Stand Out?

Several factors make Maryam Dauda a compelling player to watch this season, especially when comparing her to someone like Sania Feagin. First and foremost is her size and length. At 6’4”, Dauda possesses a combination of height and wingspan that could make her an elite defender in the post. Her ability to contest shots around the rim will be critical for South Carolina, particularly in their quest to dominate defensively.

Dauda has shown that she can protect the rim, but she will need to continue improving her awareness and positioning to be a consistent shot-blocker. Moreover, as she gains experience, Dauda could become a more versatile defender, capable of guarding multiple positions. Like Feagin, her athleticism could allow her to switch onto smaller players and be effective in transition defense, an area where South Carolina thrives.

Offensively, Dauda will need to become more reliable. Her ability to finish around the basket is already a strength, but to truly emerge as a key player in South Carolina’s offense, she will need to develop a more consistent mid-range jumper and possibly stretch her game out to the three-point line. Having a forward who can score in a variety of ways makes South Carolina even more dangerous, as it opens up additional spacing on the floor for other players. Dauda’s willingness to work on her offensive game could mirror what we saw from Feagin as she became more comfortable in the offensive sets.

In terms of rebounding, Dauda has all the tools to be an elite contributor. Her size and athleticism make her a threat to dominate the glass, especially on the offensive boards. This could be an area where she looks to have an immediate impact, providing South Carolina with the extra possessions they often need in tight games.

The Comparison: Can Dauda Step into Feagin’s Shoes?

Comparing Maryam Dauda to Sania Feagin is not an apples-to-apples comparison, but there are enough similarities between the two players to justify the comparison. Both players have excellent size and versatility, with the ability to play in multiple positions. They also have the potential to contribute on both ends of the floor, with Dauda’s length and shot-blocking ability reminiscent of Feagin’s defense.

Feagin’s success came from her ability to adapt to her role within the team and her improvement throughout her sophomore season. It was her willingness to put in the work on the defensive end and her ability to step up offensively that allowed her to become a breakout player. Dauda’s path will likely follow a similar trajectory—starting with a strong defensive presence and growing her offensive game as she gains confidence and experience.

For Dauda to become this year’s version of Feagin, she will need to take on a larger role and prove she can be a reliable contributor for South Carolina. This will require continued development in her offensive game, especially in terms of scoring efficiency and creating opportunities for her teammates. Just like Feagin, Dauda will have to understand her value on the floor, finding ways to impact the game even when she’s not the focal point of the offense.

Coach Dawn Staley’s Influence

Dawn Staley’s coaching philosophy is a major factor in the development of players like Feagin and Dauda. Staley is known for her ability to nurture talent and develop players into well-rounded athletes who can contribute to a championship-caliber team. Under Staley’s tutelage, players are expected to be well-rounded, playing both offense and defense with a high level of intensity and IQ.

For Dauda, playing under a coach like Staley will be crucial to her development. Staley has shown time and time again that she knows how to bring out the best in her players, and Dauda’s raw athleticism and potential give her a great foundation to work with. Staley’s emphasis on defense will also help Dauda refine her skills in that area, and as the season progresses, we could see Dauda become a more consistent offensive threat as well.

What Needs to Happen for Dauda to Break Out?

In order for Dauda to truly have the breakout season that South Carolina fans are hoping for, several things need to fall into place. First, she will need to earn more minutes on the court, which will require her to continue refining her game in practice. As a sophomore, she’ll be competing with a deep roster, so she’ll need to show her worth in every opportunity she gets.

Second, Dauda will need to stay healthy. Injuries can derail a player’s development, and staying on the floor will be essential to her growth as a player. If she can remain injury-free, there’s no reason why she can’t make a significant impact this season.

Lastly, Dauda will need to gain the trust of her coaches and teammates. Feagin’s success came, in part, from her ability to earn the trust of Coach Staley and be put in high-pressure situations. If Dauda can prove she’s capable of handling these moments, there’s no doubt that she could be a key player for the Gamecocks this year.

Maryam Dauda has the potential to become a major contributor for South Carolina this season, just as Sania Feagin did last year. Both players have the size, athleticism, and versatility needed to excel in Staley’s system, but it will be up to Dauda to continue developing her offensive game and solidify her role on the team. If Dauda can step up in the same way Feagin did, South Carolina’s already-strong roster will be even more dangerous, with a powerful forward duo capable of impacting both ends of the floor.

The comparison between Dauda and Feagin is a hopeful one, and while the paths of these two players may not be identical, Dauda has the tools to become one of the breakout stars of the season. With hard work, determination, and the guidance of Dawn Staley, Dauda’s breakout campaign could be just around the corner.