Four Gamecocks Are Selected to the All-America Team Four members of the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team have demonstrated exceptional skill and excellence, earning

For Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks, excellence isn’t just a goal — it’s the standard. That truth was reaffirmed when four standout players from the Gamecocks’ undefeated 2024-25 women’s basketball season were selected to the All-America team, solidifying their place among the nation’s elite. The announcement serves as both an individual honor for the players and a testament to the culture Staley has carefully constructed in Columbia.

In a year where South Carolina reasserted itself as the most dominant program in the nation, it’s no surprise the roster has been flooded with recognition. Whether it was suffocating defense, highlight-reel athleticism, or the unselfish team-first mentality, the Gamecocks found ways to win with style and swagger. Their perfect record — the first in program history since 2022 — was built on the collective, but these four players stood tallest when the lights were brightest.

1. Kamilla Cardoso: The Towering Anchor of the Post

Kamilla Cardoso’s journey from Brazil to becoming one of the most dominant post players in college basketball has been nothing short of spectacular. Standing at 6-foot-7, she gave South Carolina an unmovable presence in the paint, affecting both ends of the floor in nearly every game she played. Cardoso averaged 15.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game, earning her a spot on the All-America First Team.

Cardoso’s impact wasn’t limited to her statistics. Her ability to alter shots, box out elite rebounders, and finish through contact gave South Carolina a reliable foundation on both ends of the court. Perhaps most importantly, her leadership and calm demeanor helped guide a younger roster through the rigors of a top-heavy SEC and a challenging non-conference schedule.

In the NCAA Tournament, Cardoso elevated her game even further. Her double-double performances in the Sweet 16 and Final Four were critical in preserving the Gamecocks’ unblemished record. With the WNBA in her future, Cardoso’s collegiate career ends as one of the most decorated bigs in South Carolina history.

2. Raven Johnson: The Maestro at Point Guard

A team with size and athleticism still needs direction, and sophomore point guard Raven Johnson provided exactly that. As the conductor of the Gamecocks’ offense, Johnson’s vision, pace, and control brought cohesion to a team stacked with talent. Averaging 8.4 points, 7.1 assists, and 2.3 steals per game, she earned All-America Second Team honors and solidified her reputation as one of the best true point guards in the country.

Johnson’s growth from her freshman to sophomore season was noticeable. Her turnover rate plummeted, her court vision sharpened, and her command of the tempo helped South Carolina close tight games with poise. What separated Johnson from other point guards wasn’t just her passing — it was her ability to be the Gamecocks’ emotional engine. She was vocal, intense, and relentless, never backing down from any moment.

In a thrilling Elite Eight clash, Johnson recorded a rare triple-double, becoming just the second player in program history to do so in the NCAA Tournament. Her defensive tenacity was equally important, as she routinely took on the opposing team’s top perimeter scorer and made life miserable for them.

3. MiLaysia Fulwiley: The Freshman Phenom

Few players electrified college basketball this season like MiLaysia Fulwiley. The Columbia native stayed home to play for Dawn Staley, and that decision has already paid dividends for both her and the program. Fulwiley burst onto the national scene with jaw-dropping crossovers, impossible finishes, and an infectious energy that made her a fan favorite and an All-America Third Team selection.

Fulwiley averaged 13.6 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game while playing a hybrid role as a scoring guard and secondary playmaker. Her flair for the dramatic — including a buzzer-beater three-pointer to win the SEC Championship — earned her viral fame, but it was her maturity and work ethic that kept her grounded during the long season.

Despite being a freshman, Fulwiley showed no fear in big moments. She scored 20 or more points on eight occasions, including a 26-point outburst in the Sweet 16 that helped South Carolina overcome a double-digit deficit. Her chemistry with Johnson in the backcourt gave the Gamecocks the best guard duo in the nation.

Expectations are now sky-high for Fulwiley, who could easily become the face of women’s college basketball next season. But for now, she’s already earned a spot on the sport’s most prestigious team.

4. Ashlyn Watkins: The Sparkplug Forward

Ashlyn Watkins may not have received as many headlines as her teammates, but coaches and scouts around the nation know how vital she was to the Gamecocks’ perfect season. As a versatile forward with a relentless motor, Watkins brought intensity, toughness, and versatility to South Carolina’s frontcourt. She was named to the All-America Honorable Mention list — an acknowledgment of her vital role.

Watkins averaged 10.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game while also leading the team in hustle stats like deflections and charges drawn. Her ability to guard every position made her indispensable in switch-heavy defensive schemes. On offense, she became a consistent mid-range threat and an elite finisher in transition.

Her athleticism often stole the show. With thunderous blocks and fast-break dunks, Watkins added an edge and excitement to the Gamecocks’ already dominant style. In the national title game, she scored 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, earning Player of the Game honors.

As a junior, Watkins has blossomed into a star in her own right. And with Cardoso heading to the WNBA, Watkins could become the anchor of the frontcourt next season.

A Reflection of Dawn Staley’s Culture

To have four players named to the All-America team is rare. To have them play selflessly, with joy, and with an unwavering commitment to team success is what sets South Carolina apart. It’s a direct reflection of head coach Dawn Staley’s leadership — a culture rooted in accountability, empowerment, and the celebration of excellence in all its forms.

Staley praised her quartet of stars following the announcement.

“These women are everything that’s right about college basketball,” she said. “They worked for this. They believed in the system, in each other, and in themselves. Their individual honors are team achievements because none of them ever chased stats — they chased wins.”

South Carolina finished the season 38-0, sweeping through the SEC and NCAA Tournament with dominance and flair. Along the way, they led the nation in rebounding margin, field-goal percentage defense, and assist-to-turnover ratio. The All-America recognition for Cardoso, Johnson, Fulwiley, and Watkins is the cherry on top of a legendary season.

What’s Next for Each Player

With the season over and the All-America honors secured, attention now turns to the future.

• Kamilla Cardoso has declared for the WNBA Draft and is projected to be a top-three pick. Her professional career is set to launch, and her legacy in Columbia is etched in stone.
• Raven Johnson will return as the unquestioned leader of the backcourt. With her increased maturity and growing national profile, she’s a preseason favorite for the Nancy Lieberman Award.
• MiLaysia Fulwiley will enter her sophomore year with the expectations of a superstar. The next step in her development will be learning how to lead while still dazzling with her natural gifts.
• Ashlyn Watkins is primed for a breakout senior year. With Cardoso gone, she’ll assume more offensive responsibility and could be a strong candidate for SEC Player of the Year.

A Program Without Parallels

The 2024-25 season will go down as one of the greatest in women’s college basketball history. And at the heart of it were four players who perfectly embodied what makes South Carolina special: talent, toughness, togetherness.

The All-America nods are more than just individual accolades — they are a snapshot of a golden era in Gamecock basketball, an era that shows no signs of slowing down.

As long as Dawn Staley continues to recruit, mentor, and inspire, South Carolina will remain a dynasty. And as long as players like Cardoso, Johnson, Fulwiley, and Watkins carry the torch, the future of women’s basketball will always have a strong pulse running through Columbia.