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When South Carolina steamrolled past Iowa State at the Fort Myers Tip Off, their first game after losing to UCLA, there were a lot of positive takeaways for the Gamecocks. They won by 40 points—more than the 36 Iowa State put on the board—and 10 players contributed to their 76 points scored.
However, the brightest aspect of the game was Joyce Edwards’ performance. The freshman phenom was unstoppable. She earned her first career double-double and was a force of nature in the post. It was her, not Iowa State, that was spinning around like a cyclone inside the paint, wreaking havoc. Iowa State had no answer for her, and she went an efficient 6-for-8 from the field, finishing with 13 points, 11 boards and three steals.
After the win, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley commended Edwards’ game, saying:
This is the Joyce that we envision having. And sometimes it takes a little bit longer than we think it’s going to take because she’s so smart and she’s able to compete at the high highest level. But I hope she gains a lot of confidence from the way that we did it. She was really efficient, she rebounded the basketball, she was flying around, her defense was pretty darn good. She put together a complete game and I’m truly happy for her.
When playing for a program that has won three national titles, is the defending champions and is coming off a 43-game winning streak, playing efficiently and giving a complete performance is the only way you will survive. The room for error as a Gamecock is slim to none, and with that expectation comes extra scrutiny.
Sticking to the details
At almost any other program, Edwards would have a green light to do whatever she wants. But at South Carolina, the role is more limited, and playing a winning style is what puts you in position for glory.
Edwards is doing all the small things that make a big impact. She crashes the boards, averaging 5.4 rebounds per game, and her defensive tenacity results in 1.7 steals per game, which is a team-high. While she’s only seventh in minutes played per game, she has participated in every contest so far this season.
It’s Edwards’ versatility that truly separates her—and suggests a star trajectory. She has the size, speed and strength to guard all positions. Edwards quickly has become a Swiss Army Knife that Staley can use whenever and wherever she wants.
No ceiling
What should be worrisome to other programs is that this is just the start for Edwards. What happens when she develops her post game even more? Will an increase in minutes and a starter role in the future turn her into a juggernaut, the next player in a long list of stars who have come out of Staley’s program?
The early returns indicate this is the most likely outcome. However, for now, it’s all about taking advantage of the opportunities presented and making those moments count. Simply put, Edwards is already impacting winning and will have plenty of opportunities to do so this season and for years to come.
Edwards is not just a rookie to watch; she’s a player to know in the world of basketball.
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