South Carolina Women’s Basketball: Potential Transfer Portal Targets for the Gamecocks

The South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball program has consistently been one of the premier teams in the nation under head coach Dawn Staley. With its championship pedigree, elite recruiting, and successful development of players, South Carolina has become a powerhouse in women’s basketball. However, the ever-changing landscape of college basketball, especially with the introduction of the NCAA’s transfer portal, has created new opportunities for teams like the Gamecocks to strengthen their rosters with immediate impact players.

The Gamecocks have a history of success in both recruiting high school talent and utilizing the transfer portal to fill specific needs. As the 2025 season approaches, South Carolina’s pursuit of transfer portal players could be key to maintaining their dominance in women’s college basketball. In this article, we will explore some potential transfer portal targets who could help elevate the Gamecocks to even greater heights.

Why the Transfer Portal Matters

Since its inception, the transfer portal has dramatically shifted the dynamics of college basketball. For many programs, including South Carolina, the transfer portal represents an opportunity to secure a veteran player who can contribute immediately, especially in areas where the team might have a weakness. For South Carolina, this could mean targeting players who can provide scoring depth, bolster the frontcourt, or bring added experience in key positions.

As the Gamecocks have proven time and again, their roster depth is one of their greatest assets. By adding players from the transfer portal, they can address any potential gaps or add more competition to an already loaded team.

Areas of Need for South Carolina

While South Carolina boasts a loaded roster with stars like Aliyah Boston (before her departure to the WNBA), Zia Cooke, and Laeticia Amihere, the team still faces the challenge of maintaining its excellence year in and year out. With Boston’s departure, the Gamecocks will likely need to find ways to fill the void in their post presence. Additionally, the Gamecocks are looking to maintain their guard depth, especially as they look for more scoring options and leadership on the perimeter.

1. Post Player Depth: With Aliyah Boston leaving for the WNBA, South Carolina needs to find a strong post presence to complement Amihere and the other forwards on the roster. Whether it’s a traditional center who can dominate in the paint or a versatile forward who can stretch the floor, this is an area the Gamecocks will need to address.
2. Guard Play and Scoring: While Zia Cooke is expected to continue leading the backcourt, the Gamecocks will need to find another guard who can score efficiently and provide leadership. Depth in the backcourt is crucial, especially with the physicality of the SEC.
3. Leadership and Experience: South Carolina often thrives on having experienced players who know how to perform under pressure. A seasoned transfer with tournament experience could provide invaluable leadership in crucial moments.

Potential Transfer Portal Targets

Here are some of the top transfer portal targets that could help South Carolina meet their needs and continue their dominance:

1. Kamilla Cardoso (Syracuse)

Kamilla Cardoso is one of the most talked-about names in the transfer portal after announcing her intention to leave Syracuse. Standing at 6’7″, Cardoso has the size and skill set that would make her an ideal fit for South Carolina’s post-heavy offensive system. During her time at Syracuse, she showed the ability to score in the paint, rebound effectively, and block shots. Her size and skill could allow her to step into the starting center role left by Aliyah Boston’s departure.

Cardoso is a versatile player, able to run the floor and finish with both hands, which would make her an excellent complement to the Gamecocks’ already established offensive system. Her shot-blocking ability could be a game-changer defensively, and her presence on the boards would help South Carolina continue to dominate in the paint. If she chooses to join the Gamecocks, Cardoso would provide the Gamecocks with an elite-level post player who can contribute immediately.

2. Miya Crump (Florida State)

Miya Crump, a 6’0″ guard from Florida State, is another intriguing transfer portal target. Crump has shown flashes of brilliance as a scorer and has been a key piece of the Florida State offense. South Carolina could benefit from Crump’s scoring ability, especially from the perimeter. As a guard who can create her own shot, Crump would add versatility to the Gamecocks’ backcourt.

While she still has room for improvement in terms of consistency, Crump’s talent is undeniable. Her ability to stretch the floor, score in transition, and provide energy off the bench could be incredibly beneficial for South Carolina’s high-pressure style of play. If she were to transfer to South Carolina, Crump could provide an immediate scoring boost and contribute to both the defensive and offensive schemes.

3. Lauren Gustafson (Drake)

Another potential target for South Carolina could be Lauren Gustafson, a standout forward from Drake. Gustafson has had an impressive career at Drake, showing a combination of scoring and rebounding that would translate well to the SEC. Standing at 6’2″, she would add valuable depth to South Carolina’s frontcourt, both as a scorer and a rebounder. Gustafson has the ability to stretch the floor with her three-point shooting, which could help open up the Gamecocks’ offense.

Her ability to play both inside and out would give Dawn Staley additional flexibility in her offensive schemes. Gustafson could also bring leadership and experience to the table, making her a strong candidate to help fill the void left by Boston. If she were to join the Gamecocks, she would likely compete for minutes in the frontcourt alongside Laeticia Amihere and Cardoso.

4. Jada Williams (Missouri)

Jada Williams from Missouri is an athletic, versatile guard who could thrive at South Carolina. Williams has shown the ability to score, facilitate, and defend at a high level during her time in the SEC. Her combination of athleticism, playmaking, and perimeter shooting would complement Zia Cooke’s scoring ability in the backcourt.

Williams’ style of play fits well with South Carolina’s up-tempo, physical brand of basketball. She could provide an added dimension as a primary ball handler and playmaker, freeing up Cooke to focus on scoring and defense. Additionally, Williams’ ability to guard multiple positions would allow the Gamecocks to remain flexible and aggressive defensively, a staple of their style under Staley.

5. Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (Baylor)

Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, a forward from Baylor, is another intriguing option for South Carolina. Known for her rebounding and defensive prowess, Littlepage-Buggs would provide a physical presence in the paint. With her high basketball IQ and ability to guard multiple positions, Littlepage-Buggs would fit perfectly into Staley’s defensive system.

Offensively, she may not have the same scoring upside as some of the other options, but her gritty style of play and work ethic would add a different dimension to South Carolina’s roster. Littlepage-Buggs would bring the kind of toughness and leadership that the Gamecocks could use in their pursuit of another championship.

6. Terae Briggs (Virginia Tech)

Terae Briggs, a forward from Virginia Tech, could be a great addition to South Carolina’s already stacked roster. Briggs is known for her versatility, as she can play both the power forward and center positions. Her ability to stretch the floor with three-point shooting would help add to South Carolina’s offensive firepower, while her physicality in the paint would allow the Gamecocks to continue dominating the boards.

Briggs also brings valuable postseason experience, having been a key player for Virginia Tech in their deep runs in the NCAA tournament. Her leadership and ability to contribute on both ends of the floor would make her a great fit in South Carolina’s championship-driven program.

As the transfer portal continues to be an influential factor in shaping the future of women’s college basketball, South Carolina’s pursuit of impactful players could help maintain their standing as one of the top programs in the nation. The Gamecocks’ ability to secure talent through both recruiting and the transfer portal gives them a competitive edge that few teams can match. Whether it’s securing a dominant post player like Kamilla Cardoso, adding depth and scoring to the backcourt with Miya Crump, or finding a versatile forward like Terae Briggs, South Carolina’s recruitment of transfer portal players will be crucial in maintaining their elite status.

By continuing to leverage their national stature, coaching acumen, and championship pedigree, South Carolina’s potential transfer portal targets could help them continue their march toward even greater success in women’s college basketball.