Gamecock Pride Goes Global: Four South Carolina Stars to Represent at USA Basketball’s 3X Nationals
South Carolina women’s basketball has built a culture that transcends the borders of the Southeastern Conference. With a reputation for excellence, tenacity, and development under head coach Dawn Staley, the Gamecocks continue to extend their influence well beyond the regular NCAA season. Now, four Gamecock standouts are set to represent the program on the national stage once again—this time in a fast-paced, high-stakes format that demands precision, versatility, and chemistry. MiLaysia Fulwiley, Raven Johnson, Chloe Kitts, and Ashlyn Watkins have been selected to compete at the USA Basketball 3X Nationals, held May 3–5 in Springfield, Massachusetts.
The USA Basketball 3X Nationals is more than just a showcase. It’s a proving ground, a launchpad, and a place where elite talent collides in a game built on quick decisions and high-pressure moments. For South Carolina’s quartet, it’s another opportunity to demonstrate not only their individual skills but the synergy and dominance that have become hallmarks of the Gamecock identity. Each player brings her own unique contribution, molded by the demanding environment of South Carolina basketball. Together, they aim to make a resounding statement in the red, white, and blue.
MiLaysia Fulwiley, the electric sophomore guard from Columbia, is the kind of player built for 3×3 basketball. Her creativity with the ball, fearless shot-making, and elite handle give her an edge in the wide-open spaces of the half-court format. A viral sensation even before stepping on campus, Fulwiley backed up the hype as a freshman with dazzling plays and an assertive scoring mentality. Her ability to break down defenders in isolation makes her an ideal weapon in 3×3 play, where offensive opportunities are created one-on-one or through quick actions.
What sets Fulwiley apart isn’t just her athleticism or flair—it’s her poise. In a game where the shot clock is only 12 seconds and transition is constant, every possession is urgent. Fulwiley thrives in these conditions, bringing the same confident explosiveness that helped lead South Carolina to the Final Four and eventually the national championship game. She’s also coming off her announcement to return for the 2025–26 season, which only reinforces her commitment to growth, leadership, and team success.
Then there’s Raven Johnson, the steadying force. Johnson, a floor general in every sense, is the type of guard that brings order to chaos. With elite court vision, defensive toughness, and a high basketball IQ, she brings a stabilizing presence that perfectly complements the quicker pace of 3×3. Her experience running South Carolina’s offense through multiple deep NCAA Tournament runs has prepared her for the decision-making demands of the format. Johnson doesn’t just manage the game—she controls it, directing tempo and finding opportunities others might miss.
Her leadership has grown considerably during her time in Columbia. Once a promising recruit with ACL recovery concerns, Johnson has matured into one of the most dependable and versatile guards in the country. The 3×3 setting allows her to showcase not only her passing and perimeter defense, but also her ability to take over in crucial possessions when needed. She’s been in big moments and understands the nuance of playing within a system while still being ready to create when the opportunity arises.
Chloe Kitts brings the length and floor-spacing that are vital to 3×3 success. As a forward who can stretch the floor with her shooting touch and defend multiple positions, Kitts fills an indispensable role on this team. Her basketball instincts are refined, and her motor rarely stops running. While she may not be as flashy as Fulwiley or as commanding with the ball as Johnson, Kitts’ contributions are often the glue that holds a team together—something that becomes even more apparent in the tight-knit, high-tempo nature of 3×3.
Standing 6-foot-2, Kitts gives the Gamecocks size without sacrificing agility. Her footwork and awareness make her a formidable post defender in one-on-one matchups, and her rebounding instincts will be crucial given the format’s emphasis on immediate second-chance opportunities. Just as important is her unselfishness—Kitts is a connector, a player who keeps the offense flowing and makes the right play regardless of who gets the credit.
Completing the quartet is Ashlyn Watkins, a high-flying forward who specializes in athleticism and interior toughness. Watkins’ highlight-reel blocks and rebounding ability give the Gamecocks a defensive edge that few can match. In 3×3, where shot contests must be decisive and physical play is intensified by the short court, her strength and quickness will shine. Watkins doesn’t just protect the paint—she changes the momentum with her hustle plays, offensive putbacks, and relentless energy.
Watkins’ development throughout the past season has been a testament to South Carolina’s player development approach. She’s no longer just a raw athlete; she’s becoming a smarter, more efficient player who understands her role and impacts the game in multiple ways. Her combination of speed and strength makes her a matchup problem in 3×3, and her experience competing against some of the best bigs in the SEC has hardened her for elite competition.
What makes this Gamecock group so intriguing is the chemistry they already share. Many 3×3 teams are put together with little time to build cohesion, but South Carolina’s representatives have played side-by-side through rigorous practices, grueling SEC battles, and deep tournament runs. They know each other’s tendencies, trust one another, and have been battle-tested together. That familiarity could be their greatest weapon.
Coach Dawn Staley, herself a legend in both five-on-five and international play, has always emphasized versatility, resilience, and unity. The selection of four of her players for 3X Nationals is a reflection of the program’s DNA. Staley’s influence can be seen in the way her players carry themselves—focused, fearless, and fully prepared for the moment. It’s no surprise that South Carolina continues to produce athletes who thrive not just in the college game, but on the national and global stage.
Participation in the USA Basketball 3X Nationals also gives these Gamecocks a chance to represent more than just themselves or their school—it’s an opportunity to chase future Olympic dreams. The 3×3 format was introduced at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and has quickly grown in stature. A strong performance at Nationals could lead to opportunities to represent Team USA in future international competitions. For these four Gamecocks, it’s a step toward something even bigger.
It’s also a valuable developmental experience. The 3×3 format sharpens decision-making, fosters creativity, and encourages players to stretch beyond their traditional roles. Guards must rebound. Forwards must handle the ball. Everyone must communicate constantly. It’s basketball distilled to its purest form—speed, skill, and synergy. Competing in this environment not only broadens a player’s individual skill set but strengthens the collective understanding of team dynamics.
For South Carolina fans, it’s another point of pride. The Gamecocks are not only national champions on the court but also ambassadors of excellence off of it. Seeing their athletes continue to earn opportunities to represent USA Basketball reflects the program’s ongoing relevance and respect on the national landscape. It also bodes well for the future—this level of competition will only accelerate the growth of key returners as the program prepares for another championship run in 2025–26.
As the 3X Nationals begin in Springfield, the birthplace of basketball, four Gamecocks will take the floor not as individuals but as a unit—bonded by shared experience, driven by mutual respect, and unified by the values instilled in them by South Carolina’s culture. Whether they walk away with medals or memories, their presence at this event reaffirms one unshakable truth: the Gamecocks don’t just play the game. They elevate it.
