As anticipation builds for the 2025–2026 college basketball season, the South Carolina women’s basketball program is once again commanding national attention—this time for its success in the transfer portal. Head coach Dawn Staley made it clear following last season’s heartbreaking loss to UConn in the national championship game: the Gamecocks would reload through the portal, not just rebuild. True to her word, Staley followed through on her promise, and the results have earned South Carolina the title of “transfer portal winners” by several national outlets.
According to a recent article by On3’s Talia Goodman, South Carolina topped the list of SEC programs that emerged as big winners during the 2025 transfer portal cycle. The Gamecocks may have only signed two players through the portal, but the impact of those additions could be seismic.
The most prominent newcomer is Ta’Niya Latson, a former Florida State standout who brings explosive scoring ability, experience, and athleticism to the Gamecocks’ already formidable backcourt. Latson was one of the most sought-after players in the portal this offseason, and for good reason. She averaged 20.3 points per game last season and earned All-ACC honors for her ability to score from anywhere on the court. With South Carolina looking to regain its championship form, Latson’s offensive firepower could prove to be the missing piece in big games, especially against elite competition like UConn or LSU.
Joining her is Madina Okot, a talented forward with the size and skill to make an immediate impact in the paint. Okot, known for her defensive prowess and rebounding instincts, will bolster a frontcourt that already features depth but lacked consistency at times last season. Her addition brings balance to a roster now loaded with two-way players capable of contributing on both ends of the floor.
Dawn Staley’s decision to be selective in the portal—targeting elite talent rather than simply adding depth—speaks to her confidence in the returning core. Despite losing a few key contributors from the previous campaign, the Gamecocks bring back a strong nucleus of players who have grown under Staley’s guidance and have valuable postseason experience. Latson and Okot are expected to slide into high-impact roles immediately, raising the team’s floor and ceiling for the upcoming season.
South Carolina wasn’t the only SEC team to benefit from portal movement this offseason. Goodman also highlighted the Tennessee Lady Volunteers, Ole Miss Rebels, and LSU Tigers as other programs that used the portal effectively. Still, the Gamecocks stood out at the top thanks to their high-profile additions and how seamlessly those pieces are expected to fit into the system.
With the 2025–2026 season on the horizon, South Carolina looks primed to make another deep tournament run—and perhaps capture that elusive fourth national title under Staley’s leadership. If their portal pickups perform as expected, the Gamecocks could very well find themselves right back in the national title game—only this time, with a different outcome.