The basketball event that proved to be Ayla McDowell's path to South Carolina, Dawn Staley
COLUMBIA — When Ayla McDowell was a freshman, Taneisha Rogers, her basketball coach at Cypress Springs High School in Texas, sent a text message.
It was to South Carolina women's basketball associate head coach Lisa Boyer.
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"I don't know where you are with recruiting the class of 2025, but you need to come see this kid," Rogers wrote.
Though Rodgers was putting her freshman's name on coach Dawn Staley's radar, it was still early.
"I knew she wasn't there yet," Rogers told The Greenville News. "I didn't see her playing at that level yet, but I knew the player that she was going to be just because of her work ethic."
In many ways, Rogers' early read was accurate.
McDowell, now a 6-foot-2 small forward/wing, learned that some college coaches were questioning her ability to defend and to shoot 3-pointers.
She began waking up Rogers at 5 a.m. for gym sessions before school and wouldn't leave the court until she made 20 consecutive free throws or shot above 50% from certain spots on the 3-point line.
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"If she didn't really perform how she wanted to perform the game or workout before, she would keep that in her mind," Rogers said. "She'd take that into her next workout to try to perfect or to be better at it than the day before."
Year after year, McDowell worked. She aimed to become a product too shiny to turn down, and one that ultimately, a coach as successful as Staley would want to sign.
Rodgers believes what McDowell did at the 2024 Nike Nationals, which is the championship tournament for the Nike Girls Elite Youth Basketball League, changed everything.
For four days, Staley and her staff sat inches from the sideline in the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago to watch some of the best girls high school basketball.
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"Sitting front row, kind of taking note of the way that she developed, I don't think that she was on their radar," Rodgers said. "(McDowell) really just kind of took her game to the next level. She played in ways that I don't think, you know, many people knew that she could play."
McDowell visited South Carolina on Oct. 5 and despite witnessing the football team lose 27-3 to Ole Miss, she shut down her recruitment right after.
She announced her commitment by revealing a Gamecocks T-shirt under her jacket on Nov. 13, becoming the first signee in the class of 2025 for Staley.
In some ways, Dawn Staley has a veteran in freshman Ayla McDowell
Staley admitted in March that when things go wrong, she blames the point guard. One of the greatest ever to play the position, Staley understands the intricacies and the ripple effects it has on the four other players.
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Vocal criticism and blame can be a polarizing coaching method. Some embrace the challenge; others don't.
Though she isn't a point guard, Rodgers wanted McDowell's vocal leadership to grow, so two seasons ago she gave her a challenge.
"Everything that went wrong in practice was her fault, and I told her that," Rodgers said.
Ranging from turnovers or a dress code issue, it was McDowell's fault.
"That made her kind of take a more vocal approach to being a leader," Rodgers said. "I think that along with her natural God-given talent it's gonna help her be ready for the next level. I think she'll be an immediate impact."
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2026: South Carolina, Dawn Staley host Saniyah Hall, No. 1 recruit in 2026 class, for an official visit
What makes Rodgers so confident in McDowell is not a short list. She's witnessed her work ethic firsthand and understands McDowell just wants to impact the game. Whether that be cheering from the bench, providing 15 points or just five rebounds, she'll be a freshman who is willing to be flexible yet effective in her role.
Heading into the 2025-26 season, Staley must replace three starters but brings in McDowell along with wing Agot Makeer and transfers in point guard Ta'Niya Latson and center Madina Okot. McDowell's minutes and specific role could change game to game, and it's unclear how Staley will utilize her, but regardless of how she does, Rogers expects her to challenge the other team.
"She's just an elite-level wing who can score at all three levels," Rodgers said. "So it's extremely hard to scout what she does, because she can kind of play all over the floor."
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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: Ayla McDowell's path to South Carolina women's basketball, Dawn Staley
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