NCAA Leading Scorer Ta’Niya Latson Joins South Carolina: Gamecocks Reload for Another Title Run

By Mary John

In a move that’s sending shockwaves through the college basketball world, Ta’Niya Latson, the NCAA’s leading scorer in 2024, has officially announced her transfer to South Carolina, giving Dawn Staley and the reigning national champions yet another lethal weapon for the 2025 season. The former Florida State phenom’s decision not only strengthens an already formidable Gamecocks roster, but also underscores the evolving dynamics of college basketball in the transfer portal and NIL era.

Latson’s transfer could be the defining offseason move in women’s hoops, one that reverberates through the SEC and national landscape alike. For South Carolina, already sitting atop the mountain after a perfect 2024 campaign, it’s the equivalent of adding a rocket booster to a team already built like a spaceship.

From Tallahassee to Columbia: The Rise of a Scoring Sensation

To understand the magnitude of Latson’s move, it’s essential to appreciate her journey. The 5-foot-8 guard out of Miami, Florida, arrived at Florida State in 2022 as a five-star recruit and immediately lived up to the hype. Despite playing on a team that lacked consistent supporting talent, she averaged 21.3 points per game as a freshman, setting an ACC freshman record and earning ACC Rookie of the Year honors.

In 2023-24, she took her game to another level, leading the nation in scoring with 26.7 points per game. Her offensive arsenal is virtually unmatched: she has the ability to create her own shot at will, attack the rim with explosive first-step quickness, and drain contested jumpers from midrange and beyond the arc. Her performances kept Florida State relevant and dangerous in the ACC despite the team’s broader struggles.

However, after two years of carrying the Seminoles, Latson made the difficult decision to enter the portal. South Carolina was quick to pounce—and with good reason.

Why South Carolina? The Dawn Staley Effect

When asked about her decision, Latson made it clear: “I want to compete for championships. I want to grow under the best coach in the country. Coach Staley’s program is everything I’m looking for. It’s a family. It’s a standard. It’s about greatness.”

Those sentiments are becoming common among the top women’s players in the country. Dawn Staley has built a culture that combines competitive excellence, player development, and unwavering support. With multiple Final Fours, national titles, and a consistent track record of sending players to the WNBA, Staley has turned Columbia into the premier destination in women’s college basketball.

What makes the Latson addition even more impressive is that South Carolina is fresh off a 38-0 national championship season, having defeated Caitlin Clark and Iowa in the title game. Most programs would be content to rest on their laurels. Not Staley. She is doubling down—and she now has the nation’s most electric scorer in her arsenal.

The Fit: How Latson Elevates South Carolina’s Offense

Some wondered how Latson would fit into a Gamecocks team known for its depth, defensive prowess, and balanced scoring. The answer? Perfectly.

With the graduation of key contributors like Kamilla Cardoso and Raven Johnson entering the WNBA, there are minutes—and shots—to be redistributed. Latson steps in as a primary offensive threat who can command double teams, which in turn opens up opportunities for the Gamecocks’ younger talent.

South Carolina’s style under Staley isn’t rigid—it adapts based on personnel. With Latson, expect more high ball screens, isolation sets, and dribble drives designed to leverage her quickness and scoring versatility. She’s also a savvy passer who can play within the system when defenses collapse on her.

Staley put it best during Latson’s announcement press conference:

“Ta’Niya’s game speaks for itself. But what excites me more is her hunger, her fire, her willingness to be coached. She’s walking into a team culture that’s about the name on the front. And I know she’s ready for that.”

Star Power Reloaded: South Carolina’s 2025 Lineup Outlook

With Latson in the fold, South Carolina may actually be more dangerous in 2025 than they were in their undefeated title season. Here’s a look at what the roster could resemble:

• Ta’Niya Latson (G) – Leading scorer in the nation, instant offense, All-American talent.
• MiLaysia Fulwiley (G) – Rising sophomore sensation, highlight machine, known for dazzling passes and fast-break finishes.
• Ashlyn Watkins (F/C) – Elite shot blocker and rebounder, stepping into a bigger offensive role.
• Chloe Kitts (F) – Versatile stretch four with three-point range and mobility.
• Sania Feagin (C) – Former top recruit ready to anchor the post in Cardoso’s absence.

Add to that a top-3 incoming freshman class and Staley’s ability to coach defense like few others in the sport, and the Gamecocks are again the team to beat.

NIL and the Power of the Portal

Latson’s transfer also sheds light on the changing landscape of college basketball, particularly with regard to the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) ecosystem. While financial details have not been disclosed, multiple sources indicate that South Carolina’s robust NIL infrastructure—combined with national exposure and a strong alumni network—played a role in Latson’s decision.

FSU, while a proud program with history, has struggled to maintain its footing in the NIL race. South Carolina, meanwhile, has embraced the new era. With partnerships, branding opportunities, and a passionate fan base, it offers top-tier players both the spotlight and the resources they need to thrive.

Reactions Around the College Basketball World

The news of Latson’s transfer was met with a mixture of shock, admiration, and perhaps a little envy. Here’s how some in the college hoops world reacted:

• Alyssa Thomas (WNBA All-Star, Maryland alum):
  “Ta’Niya to South Carolina? That’s scary. She’s got the game, and now she’s got the squad.”
• ESPN’s Rebecca Lobo:
  “This move is seismic. Dawn Staley just added the best scorer in the country to a team that didn’t lose a game. That’s not even fair.”
• Social Media Reaction:
  Twitter and Instagram lit up with fans posting mock lineups, Photoshop jerseys, and instant predictions of a repeat national title. The Gamecocks’ fan base, already one of the most loyal in the country, is brimming with excitement.

What This Means for the SEC and National Landscape

The SEC was already a brutal gauntlet—add a player like Latson, and the gap between South Carolina and the rest just widened. LSU will still have Angel Reese (if she delays WNBA again), and Tennessee is building under Kellie Harper. But the Gamecocks remain the gold standard.

Nationally, UConn, Stanford, Iowa (post-Clark), and UCLA are all potential threats, but none can boast the mix of talent, experience, and now, a bona fide scoring assassin like Latson.

If there’s a downside to her arrival, it’s for opposing coaches who will now have to game-plan for a player who can drop 30 points without breaking a sweat, backed by one of the deepest and best-coached teams in the country.

The Bigger Picture: Women’s College Basketball’s Growth

Latson’s high-profile move is yet another sign of how far women’s college basketball has come. More eyes are on the sport than ever before. The 2024 NCAA Championship game drew a record 18.7 million viewers, surpassing NBA and MLB games. The buzz around stars like Caitlin Clark, JuJu Watkins, Angel Reese, and now Latson is elevating the sport to new heights.

We’re entering an era where superstar players can change schools, elevate programs, and spark national storylines overnight—much like in men’s basketball and football. And with NIL deals now part of the equation, players are being rewarded not just for talent, but for marketability and impact.

What’s Next for Ta’Niya Latson?

With her future set in Columbia, Latson now turns her focus to the court. Summer workouts, team chemistry, and learning Staley’s schemes await. But knowing her track record, few doubt she’ll adjust quickly.

In fact, many believe she’s a leading candidate for National Player of the Year in 2025. And if South Carolina finishes the season like many expect—with confetti falling again—it’s likely Latson will be in the center of the celebration.

She’s no longer just the nation’s top scorer.
She’s a Gamecock.

And that, more than anything, might be the most dangerous development in women’s college basketball this offseason.