USC Gamecocks - The Offseason 2025

[JDuro]

I have to say, the tiny absurdity of a college with a rooster as its mascot having Bojangles and Chik Fil A as sponsors has occasionally made me think of the classic SNL ‘Cluckin Chicken’ mock commercial.
RIP Phil Hartman

 

[cancontent]

FIBA U19 WWC: Top Prospects 20-11

The big show in Brno is going to be dripping with talent at every turn.

www.fiba.basketball

In advance of the U19 tournament, a write up on top prospects. McDowell and Makeer come in at 14 and 13 on the list.

 

[SCGamecock]

FIBA U19 WWC: Top Prospects 20-11

The big show in Brno is going to be dripping with talent at every turn.

www.fiba.basketball

In advance of the U19 tournament, a write up on top prospects. McDowell and Makeer come in at 14 and 13 on the list.

Very High ceiling for both IMO.

 

[cancontent]

Very High ceiling for both IMO.

Doesn't hurt that McDowell was part of the Women's AmeriCup the week before to help get acclimated to more physical competition.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Very High ceiling for both IMO.

Would be great for one of them to immediately be a wing stopper or at least better than average on defense.

I've gotten a little more towards feeling it's McDowell.

 

[GamecockFam]

Would be great for one of them to immediately be a wing stopper or at least better than average on defense.

I've gotten a little more towards feeling it's McDowell.

Agot's length really causes disruptions on defense. She gets a lot of deflections/steals and I expect that to translate to this level. She is a pretty good scorer and has a good 3 point shot. I question if her offensive skills will immediately transfer to the college level and I expect there will be some growing pains. I think she'll have a freshman season similar to Sania Rivers with the exception that she'll shoot better from 3. I'm excited to watch her and McDowell in the FIBA U19 Women's world cup over this next week. I think that'll give us a good barometer on what to expect out of them as freshman.

 

[YoDore]

 

[GamecockFam]

Ayla McDowell led Brazil with 18 points, 7 rebounds, 5 steals, and 1 block against France in the U19 World Cup. She didn't shoot that well, as she shot 6/21 FG%, which sounds awful but when compared to her teammates she had the highest shooting percentage for Brazil.

Brazil lost 83-47 as no one besides McDowell could score against France. I believe France is expected to be a medaling team, so it was stiff competition with much more talent on the French roster.

Link to the scoreboard and game replay:

France vs Brazil - Group Phase - FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2025 | FIBA Basketball

France vs Brazil - Browse boxscore, game information & live stats, team rosters, photos and video highlights

www.fiba.basketball

 

[GamecockFam]

Agot Makeer came off the bench for team Canada and scored 9 points on 50% shooting with 6 rebounds in 19 minutes of play. She was the first player off the bench for Canada. She caused disruption with her length, for example she tipped an inbounds ball and used her length to disrupt a backdoor cut. She also guarded 1-5 in this game and regularly was asked to take the ball up the court -- she is a very versatile player. She has matured a lot over the past year and honestly looks much more polished than the YouTube clips I've watched of her. I was very impressed.

Link to scoreboard and game replay:

Portugal vs Canada - Group Phase - FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2025 | FIBA Basketball

Portugal vs Canada - Browse boxscore, game information & live stats, team rosters, photos and video highlights

www.fiba.basketball

 

[SCspur]

Good competition for both. I think both will be very good for us off the bench this season. I’m not upset at Ayla’s shooting percentage. She had to pretty much do everything for Brazil. She had 18 everyone else accounted for 29. Her 7 rebounds and 5 steals impressed me especially in a losing effort. I love her motor and she doesn’t stop playing. That’s huge for us.

One thing that really stood out to me was their rebounding. Both are very willing crashers amongst the trees and that’s what we need from our guards. Raven was the only one who went to the boards hard. Ta’Niya is a good rebounder as well. So with better rebounding from our guards and forwards our shooting percentage will definitely go up.

I think they both will shoot the three better than they shot it today. When Ayla got good looks and didn’t have to rush she knocked them down. Same with Agot. Very encouraged about what they will bring.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Good competition for both. I think both will be very good for us off the bench this season. I’m not upset at Ayla’s shooting percentage. She had to pretty much do everything for Brazil. She had 18 everyone else accounted for 29. Her 7 rebounds and 5 steals impressed me especially in a losing effort. I love her motor and she doesn’t stop playing. That’s huge for us.

One thing that really stood out to me was their rebounding. Both are very willing crashers amongst the trees and that’s what we need from our guards. Raven was the only one who went to the boards hard. Ta’Niya is a good rebounder as well. So with better rebounding from our guards and forwards our shooting percentage will definitely go up.

I think they both will shoot the three better than they shot it today. When Ayla got good looks and didn’t have to rush she knocked them down. Same with Agot. Very encouraged about what they will bring.

I haven't see a reason (yet) to think Agot will be much of a shooter. I think maybe she's just going to be more of a two way glue type.

McDowell looks a little more natural from the arc but average-ish percentage would be doing pretty good with her I think. But I could see her getting into double figures more often I think.

 

[SCspur]

I haven't see a reason (yet) to think Agot will be much of a shooter. I think maybe she's just going to be more of a two way glue type.

McDowell looks a little more natural from the arc but average-ish percentage would be doing pretty good with her I think. But I could see her getting into double figures more often I think.

Well she went 5-7 from 3 today and I’ve watched games where she’s shot the ball very well. She had 7 threes in one half versus IMG Academy and ended the game with 40 points. She shot 42% from 3 for KNE on the EYBL Circuit which isn’t easy to do. So judging by who she’ll be surrounded by next year I personally don’t have any reason to believe she wouldn’t be another shooter alongside Tessa and Ayla.

Speaking of Ayla her shot is smooth as butter and will cause defenses to pick their poison. She was 3-3 from 3 at one point versus Australia and went on her very own personal 10-0 to help Brazil tie the game in the first half. Problem is the Aussies adjusted and started face guarding her so her second half wasn’t pretty. Surrounded by better and more complete teammates I think both will be a pleasant surprise for those who aren’t aware of their games already. I could easily see them both in the rotation and the very least be considered for All SEC Freshman Team.

 

[cancontent]

Coach Staley keeping tabs

 

[GamecockFam]

Coach Staley keeping tabs

I haven't watched today's game yet but Agot Makeer seems to have had a really good day today. She and Syla Swords led Canada in scoring. Just looking at her stats it seems like she was one of the best, if not THE best, all-around players on team Canada against Korea today.

Korea vs Canada - Round of 16 - FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2025 | FIBA Basketball

Korea vs Canada - Browse boxscore, game information & live stats, team rosters, photos and video highlights

www.fiba.basketball

 

[GamecockFam]

McDowell seemed to have struggled with her shot yet again in the elimination game today against Japan. I get the impression that she is the best player on a really bad Brazilian team. She isn't quite ready to have that kind of burden on her shoulders. Thankfully she doesn't have to worry about that for the next couple of years at South Carolina...

Brazil vs Japan - Round of 16 - FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2025 | FIBA Basketball

Brazil vs Japan - Browse boxscore, game information & live stats, team rosters, photos and video highlights

www.fiba.basketball

 

[cancontent]

I haven't watched today's game yet but Agot Makeer seems to have had a really good day today. She and Syla Swords led Canada in scoring. Just looking at her stats it seems like she was one of the best, if not THE best, all-around players on team Canada against Korea today.

Korea vs Canada - Round of 16 - FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2025 | FIBA Basketball

Korea vs Canada - Browse boxscore, game information & live stats, team rosters, photos and video highlights

www.fiba.basketball

And they needed everything they could get from her today. Korea isn't known for their basketball, however they kept the game a lot closer than most assumed would be the case. Canada better be ready for Japan on Friday.

 

[Bone Dog]

And they needed everything they could get from her today. Korea isn't known for their basketball, however they kept the game a lot closer than most assumed would be the case. Canada better be ready for Japan on Friday.

I thought Korea looked pretty good in their second game. They run really well, have a couple of Hidalgo-esque speedsters, and a pair of pretty good big girls.

 

[cancontent]

I thought Korea looked pretty good in their second game. They run really well, have a couple of Hidalgo-esque speedsters, and a pair of pretty good big girls.

I wasn't up early enough to catch the game but another friend mentioned the same about Korea. This is why I made my comment about Canada being prepared for Japan. Japan can be unpredictable depending on the talent pool available. I saw Canada lose to them in 2021 when they shouldn't have.

 

[GamecockFam]

After watching the U19 games, I don't think my opinion of Makeer and McDowell has changed much. Both are capable playmakers but neither are quite ready for the consistency required at the next level. Both look like their natural position will be the 3, though both are very versatile and could cover 1-4 on defense.

I think the only stance I'm changing is that as freshmen I believe Coach Staley will have McDowell play more of the 2 than Makeer, though I expect it to flip as they mature.

While Makeer is an adequate dribbler, she really struggled against physicality and pressure. She isn't quite the athlete that Amihere or Rivers are, but she possesses a very similar build. She is a phenomenal 3 point shooter, who can be streaky at times (one game she couldn't miss from 3 and the next game she couldn't make any shots). I think her role as a freshman will be a "3 and D" type of player off the bench.

McDowell looks more comfortable at creating her own shot. She has shown pretty good efficiency but was absolutely horrible during this particular tourney. I'm chalking that up to being the best player on a really bad Brazilian team which finished 14th out of 16 teams. Unlike Makeer I think she can play the 4 due to her bigger frame.

 

[triaddukefan]

To the good people down under . Any BBQ restaurants in Columbia that puts mustard in their pork? Asking just in case. Thanks in advance

 

[Gamecockfan77]

I think to be a phenomenal three point shooter you can't be hit or miss.

I think both incoming freshmen are at best streaky.

Makeer in the outings I've seen does remind of Amihere in that she's thin, somewhat mechanical on offense and maybe does not have the correct personal assessment of how much usage is appropriate for herself at higher levels of competition.

MCDowell looks more like a natural athlete and will clean up some misses. Her three point shooting seems to cycle between hot and can't hit anything.

Not sure either should be initiating offense any time soon.

 

[jumpstart]

To the good people down under . Any BBQ restaurants in Columbia that puts mustard in their pork? Asking just in case. Thanks in advance

Question... I now live in North Carolina and all my friends who have tried the mustard-based BBQ we have in South Carolina actually loved it. I have had friends from Texas and other ketchup-based states say it really good despite their original misgivings. Have you even tried the mustard based? If not.... try it with an open mind. I love the North Carolina vinegar based because I actually tried it.... lol...

 

[JstVisiting]

Question... I now live in North Carolina and all my friends who have tried the mustard-based BBQ we have in South Carolina actually loved it. I have had friends from Texas and other ketchup-based states say it really good despite their original misgivings. Have you even tried the mustard based? If not.... try it with an open mind. I love the North Carolina vinegar based because I actually tried it.... lol...

Of all the heresies of the true, golden sauce, vinegar is my least favorite. Most are far too thin and watery for me.

EDITED! Second-least favorite. I forgot the abomination they call Alabama white sauce exists.

 

[mikeboss550]

Give me a peppered vinegar based from the peedee over the trash that is mustard base....and I am a man of culture from SC.

 

[visitingcock]

Give me a peppered vinegar based from the peedee over the trash that is mustard base....and I am a man of culture from SC.

I won’t call the mustard base “ trash” but I do choose vinegar base over it 90% of the time.