Future South Carolina Gamecock Ayla McDowell Gains Edge With Rare Experience Competing Against WNBA Players Before College Career

Ayla McDowell hasn’t yet worn the garnet and black in an official game, but the future South Carolina Gamecock is already building an edge that sets her apart from most incoming freshmen. While many players spend their high school years dominating prep circuits or honing their craft in gyms filled with their peers, McDowell has taken a different route—one that’s allowed her to measure herself against the best. She’s faced WNBA players in workouts and pick-up games, and the lessons she’s taken from those moments are already shaping the player she’s becoming.

It’s the kind of preparation that isn’t common for players at her stage. Most high school athletes preparing for Division I basketball are thrilled just to get invited to elite camps. McDowell? She’s been testing her game directly against women who make their living in the most competitive league in the world. And while she’s the first to admit that she’s still learning, it’s clear she’s been absorbing those lessons faster than most.

“I’ve always wanted to push myself,” McDowell said. “If you want to be the best, you have to play against the best. You can’t be afraid to get exposed or make mistakes. That’s where growth comes from.”

For the 6-foot-1 guard-forward hybrid from Charlotte, North Carolina, that mindset has become her trademark. She’s played at a national level with one of the top AAU programs in the country, but even that wasn’t enough. She wanted more. So when the chance came to get on the floor with WNBA stars during open runs or specialized training sessions, she took it.

It started with a relationship built through her trainers. One of them had ties to current and former WNBA players, and McDowell made an impression with her relentless work ethic and maturity. It wasn’t long before she got the nod: “Come through.” The first time she showed up to a gym filled with professionals, she was nervous. “I was quiet,” McDowell recalled. “Just trying to take it all in, figure out the pace, the physicality. It’s different. The speed, the reads, the strength—everything is elevated.”

That first session was a wake-up call. She got bumped off her spots. Her timing was off. The pros read her moves before she made them. But what stood out to those watching was how she responded. She didn’t sulk or shy away. She adjusted. By the second and third session, she was finding her rhythm. By the fifth, she was holding her own.

“She doesn’t back down,” said one WNBA veteran who’s worked out with McDowell and requested anonymity. “She’s got poise. That’s rare. Most kids come in with hype and fall apart when the game gets real. Ayla embraces it. She asks questions, watches film, and wants to know how to get better. That’s pro stuff.”

That attitude is a big reason why South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley made her a priority. McDowell committed to the Gamecocks in a class that already includes elite talent, but her upside and competitive spirit made her stand out. With Staley being one of the most respected figures in women’s basketball—both at the college level and professionally—it’s no surprise that she gravitated toward a player already demonstrating a professional approach.

“She reminds me of players we’ve had who went on to the league,” Staley said earlier this year. “The mentality is there. She knows how to compete, and she’s not scared to be coached hard. We love that.”

The timing couldn’t be better. South Carolina, fresh off another dominant season under Staley, continues to evolve its roster with players who bring both skill and hunger. McDowell will be joining a team that has high expectations and national championship ambitions every year. The spotlight is always intense in Columbia, but McDowell’s experience under pressure—whether in elite AAU settings or during matchups with seasoned pros—has helped her prepare.

“Pressure doesn’t rattle me,” she said. “It’s a part of the game. I’ve already seen what it looks like at the top, so now I know what I need to do to reach that level.”

Her game is still growing, but the foundation is clear. McDowell blends size, length, and versatility with a smooth shooting touch and a developing ability to create off the dribble. She can guard multiple positions, make smart reads, and run the floor in transition—all things that translate well in today’s game. Add in her defensive instincts, and it’s not hard to see why some analysts have labeled her a future two-way star.

But McDowell is careful not to get ahead of herself. She knows that talent is just the starting point.

“There’s a lot of work still to do,” she said. “Playing against WNBA players helped me see how far I have to go. They do everything with precision—every cut, every close-out, every screen. That’s where I want to be. So I’m locked in on the details now.”

One of those details includes learning how to lead. McDowell has taken on more responsibility in her senior season, not just as a scorer, but as a communicator. Her high school coach says she’s become a more vocal presence in the locker room and during games. That shift didn’t happen overnight. It came after observing the way WNBA players carry themselves—how they command respect without always needing to raise their voice.

“She noticed the pros were calm but direct,” said her coach. “They control the game with their presence. Now she’s starting to do that. You can feel when Ayla’s locked in—everyone else follows.”

That growth has made her even more excited to join the Gamecocks, where she’ll have a chance to learn from Staley and veteran teammates who’ve been through the wars. She’s especially eager to practice every day against players who challenge her.

“I want to go up against the best every single day,” McDowell said. “That’s how I’ll get better. It’s not about minutes right away. It’s about impact. I want to earn everything and contribute however I can.”

And those who’ve played against her believe she will. They’ve seen how quickly she processes feedback and applies it. They’ve watched her add moves and counters within days. That growth curve, paired with her mindset, has some quietly whispering that McDowell could be special.

“She’s already thinking like a pro,” said the WNBA veteran. “Give her a year or two in college, and she’s going to be ready to take over.”

That’s high praise—but McDowell isn’t letting it go to her head. She’s staying focused on the process, the next workout, the next film session, the next step.

“I haven’t done anything yet,” she said. “The real work is just beginning.”

That humility, combined with the rare experience of testing her game against WNBA pros before even stepping on a college court, is what makes Ayla McDowell one of the most intriguing prospects in the country. And in Columbia, where expectations run high and legends are born, she’s ready to chase greatness with both eyes open and her feet planted firmly on the grind.