Less than a month after stepping away from the South Carolina women's basketball program for mental health reasons, point guard Maddy McDaniel has officially withdrawn from the university and will not return to the team.
McDaniel first announced her decision to take a break on July 16. The program confirmed the permanent withdrawal on Friday. Head coach Dawn Staley supported McDaniel's initial decision in July and continued to do so after the latest development, according to CBS Sports.
"We respected Maddy's decision in July, and we continue to do that in this next step," Staley said in a statement. "She has been a valued part of our program's success, and she and her family will always be part of our Gamecock family. We wish her all the best as she chooses her future moves on and off the basketball court."
McDaniel averaged 4.3 points and 2.7 assists in 19.7 minutes per game off the bench last season. Those numbers understated her expected importance going forward. With star point guard Raven Johnson now playing in the WNBA, McDaniel had been projected to take on a significantly larger role for a Gamecocks team coming off a national runner-up finish.
Her departure leaves a noticeable hole. McDaniel was the team's only true point guard on the roster. South Carolina has depth in the post and added Texas transfer Jordan Lee and other guards during the offseason, but none of those additions fill the same position.
The program now carries 14 players on its roster, leaving one open scholarship. Staley has several options to address the vacancy. She could add a high school player graduating early, an international player, or a player who might qualify under a recent ruling granting some members of the high school class of 2022 an additional year of eligibility. That last option carries some risk if the ruling is later reversed.
The situation has a recent parallel in the South Carolina program. Forward Ashlyn Watkins took a leave of absence before the 2025-26 season but rejoined the team this summer and is preparing to play her senior season.
South Carolina opens the 2026-27 season against Maryland on November 2 in Paris, France.
