COLUMBIA — South Carolina women’s basketball forward Ashlyn Watkins is taking a year off and will not play for coach Dawn Staley during the 2025-26 season.
The 6-foot-3 Watkins would be a senior this upcoming fall. She broke the news herself via social media on July 25.
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“As most of you know, this past year has been a roller coaster for me,” she wrote in a statement. “ I usually like to keep my personal life private, but every time I step out into the community, I realize I’m not alone in this journey. So many of you have shown me love and encouragement, and because of that, I feel like l owe you a little insight into what’s been going on.”
“I also want the younger ones who look up to me to know that tough times don’t define you, they make you stronger. With everything that’s happened this year, I’m going to take some time off to focus on myself, my community, my faith, and my family, so that I can grow as an individual and attempt to master this journey of life. I’m so grateful for my coaches, the USC medical team, my teammates, and everyone who’s supported me along the way. For now, I’ll be cheering on my team and working hard to come back even stronger in the 2026-27 season.”
On Jan. 5, Watkins tore her ACL against Mississippi State and missed the remainder of the season as a result.
In a statement given to The Greenville News, Staley said “Everyone in our program is valued as the whole of who they are, not just as a player or coach or staff member and not just for the time they are on our team. We will support Ashlyn as she works through getting her body and mind stronger; and we will be here when she is ready to return.”
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Before the injury, she missed time in the beginning of the season as well. In August, Watkins was arrested on charges of with first-degree assault and battery and kidnapping. Following her arrest, she was suspended from all team activities. She was reinstated after completing a Pre-Trial Intervention program and returned to practices on Nov. 8.
She played in her first game of the season against NC State on Nov. 10 and in total, Watkins played just 14 games as a junior. She averaged 7.2 points and 6.1 rebounds, to go with one dunk on Dec. 8 against TCU.
Though South Carolina made it all the way to the national championship game without Watkins, her absence was missed at times, especially in terms of rebounding. Looking ahead to this season, Staley has quality post players and height both in her starting lineup and on the bench, but Watkins still would be a great benefit.
If Staley starts Kitts and rising sophomore forward Joyce Edwards, who is 6-3 and led the Gamecocks in scoring last year, she will still have options coming off the bench. She can bring in 6-6 Madina Okot as a traditional center, and shift either Kitts or Edwards to a true forward spot. In addition, Staley has options in 6-5 Adhel Tac and 6-4 Maryam Dauda.
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As a sophomore in 2023-24 Watkins averaged 20.6 minutes, 9.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. In the 2024 Final Four, she had a career high 20 rebounds against NC State. She brought down 280 total rebounds and finished with 10 or more rebounds in a game 18 different times.
When Watkins returns for her senior year in 2026-27, she will still have Edwards, Tac, Tessa Johnson, Maddy McDaniel, Agot Makeer, and Ayla McDowell on her team along with 2026 recruits.
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Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Ashlyn Watkins won’t play for South Carolina, Dawn Staley in 2025-26 season
