South Carolina lands Ta'Niya Latson, nation's leading scorer, after title game loss
Between the third and fourth quarters of the national championship game, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley was asked on the broadcast, 'Who else can score for you right now? Where do those points come from?'
Staley responded, 'I don't know,' as her team struggled to find offense in a 23-point defeat. Now, the Gamecocks are adding the nation's leading scorer, as Ta'Niya Latson announced Tuesday on Instagram that she will transfer to South Carolina for her final college season.
A post shared by ta'niya latson (@cbgtaniya)
Latson scored 25.2 points per game as a junior at Florida State, leading the Seminoles to their first NCAA Tournament win since 2019. Over her three seasons in Tallahassee, she averaged 22.5 points and 3.9 assists in 30.2 minutes per game. Latson was eligible to declare for the 2025 WNBA Draft but chose to enter the transfer portal, ultimately landing with the Gamecocks. She will presumably step into the starting shooting guard role vacated by fifth-year senior Te-Hina Paopao.
Advertisement
In theory, Latson is the high-volume scorer South Carolina needs. However, there will be an adjustment period on a team that historically prioritizes its depth. Latson had the highest usage rate in the ACC the last three years, and the highest usage rate nationally in 2025, ending 38.2 percent of Florida State's possessions while she was on the floor. Only MiLaysia Fulwiley had a usage percentage over 30 for the Gamecocks last season, and she averaged less than 20 minutes per game.
The backcourt remains crowded for South Carolina, which is returning three rotation guards in Raven Johnson, Fulwiley and Tessa Johnson, plus rising sophomore Maddy McDaniel. Latson could have sought out a different team with a larger role, but she has already done that.
After collecting a bevy of individual accolades at Florida State — second-team All-America in 2025, national freshman of the year in 2023 and three all-ACC selections — Latson can now chase team success with the Gamecocks. She will reunite with her high school teammate Raven Johnson, who also chose to opt out of this year's draft in favor of one last collegiate season, after the duo combined for three state titles at Westlake High School in Atlanta.
Always got my twin back!!! @NiyaLatson #REUNITED pic.twitter.com/RVznF6muw8
— R A V E N (@HollywoodRaven) April 8, 2025
Following the loss to UConn, Staley said, 'I'm as excited for what our team will look like next year. I am because I do think they'll be talented enough to get here, especially with getting in the transfer portal and getting some experienced pieces that can help with this young group.'
She immediately delivered on that process by landing a senior guard who complements what the Gamecocks had been missing.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Louisville makes 6th CWS with 3-2 win over Miami on King's RBI double in 7th
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Eddie King Jr. doubled in the winning run in the seventh inning to lift Louisville to a 3-2 win over Miami on Sunday, advancing the Cardinals to their sixth College World Series. King's clutch hit came after Jake Munroe's two-out single and a wild pitch. Advertisement Neither team was among the top 16 seeds, but the Cardinals (39-21) were the surprise winners of the Nashville Regional hosted by overall No. 1 seed Vanderbilt and Miami won Southern Mississippi's Hattiesburg Regional. Louisville will face the Oregon State-Florida State winner in Omaha, Nebraska, later this week. Miami (34-26) was hoping for its 26th CWS appearance. Miami took the lead on Max Galvin's two-run homer in the third. The Cardinals got those back in the fourth on an RBI double by Zion Rose and a fielder's choice. Miami starter Ethan Eberle went five innings, allowing six hits. Jake Schweitzer (4-2) gave up two hits and two walks in three innings. Justin West got two outs in the ninth but also walked two before Brennyn Cutts got a flyout for his second save. Will Smith (3-1), the third of five Miami pitchers, took the loss. ___ AP college sports:
USA Today
17 minutes ago
- USA Today
'He was wonderful to coach': Nate Oats believes Clifford Omoruyi can flourish in the NBA
'He was wonderful to coach': Nate Oats believes Clifford Omoruyi can flourish in the NBA Clifford Omoruyi established himself as a dynamic player in college, and the former Alabama standout is looking to showcase that ability and more ahead of the 2025 NBA draft. Omoruyi was born in Nigeria and moved to New Jersey at the age of 14. He eventually committed to play at Rutgers in March 2020 after fielding over 20 offers, becoming the first consensus top-50 recruit to join the program since Kadeem Jack in 2010. The 6-foot-11 center saw steady improvement over his four years with the Scarlet Knights, culminating with two All-Big Ten Defensive Team selections. He played with a relentless motor, fighting for every rebound while protecting the rim at a high level. Omoruyi averaged 10.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.9 blocks on 51.2% shooting from the field as a senior during the 2023-24 season. He ranked fourth in the country in blocked shots (93) and was the first player with at least eight blocks in multiple conference games since 1999-00. "Just being Nigerian, you've got to push yourself to be better," Omoruyi told Rookie Wire of his energetic playing style. "Everybody is trying to win and chase their dreams, so if I don't do it, someone is going to do it. It is just better if I push myself to do it." Fresh off a tremendous season, Omoruyi entered the transfer portal and was viewed as one of the top available interior defenders. He eventually chose the Crimson Tide over the likes of Georgetown, Kansas State and North Carolina, among other programs. Omoruyi helped Alabama advance to the Elite Eight for the second straight year, averaging 7.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 37 appearances. He registered two double-doubles and ranked ninth in the country in 2-point field goal percentage (73.9). The 23-year-old finished in double figures 13 times this past season, including a season-high 17 points, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks on March 21 in a win over Robert Morris in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. "The best thing he does is protect the rim and rebound, and you've got to have that to win," Alabama head coach Nate Oats told Rookie Wire. "We are the only school in the country that has made the last two Elite Eights, so he helped us have a really successful year. We competed for an SEC championship, and the SEC was the best conference in the history of college basketball this year, and we were one of the top teams. He helped us with all of that." Omoruyi stepped into a starting role at Alabama, averaging 19.2 minutes per game, a decrease from 26.9 minutes per game the previous season. Oats and the team used a more pro-style approach designed to maximize their personnel, including Omoruyi. Because of their depth, Omoruyi wasn't required to log 30-plus minutes a night. By keeping him mostly in the 18-24 range, Omoruyi was able to continue to make high-energy plays by chasing loose balls, crashing the glass and protecting the paint. Omoruyi adjusted well to how the Crimson Tide operated on offense by serving as a consistent lob threat, with his athleticism and 7-foot, 6 1/4-inch wingspan. He put pressure on the rim as a roller in pick-and-roll situations and expanded his offensive game by handling the ball more. "He definitely wasn't used to playing at the pace we did, but I think he picked that up as it went on," Oats said. "He was used to getting the ball a lot more in the post, coming from Rutgers. He had no complaints ever about scoring less. He was really just a team guy and did whatever we needed him to." Omoruyi is now focused on proving himself, with team workouts and interviews ramping up before the draft on June 25-26 in Brooklyn, New York. He signed with Edge Sports, which also represents Indiana Pacers forward Enrique Freeman, among other players. The Nigerian has made his 3-point shooting a point of emphasis during his offseason workouts, putting up at least 500 shots in the gym on most days. He is also working on various other elements of his game, such as pick-and-rolls, ball handling and attacking the rim. "I have really improved greatly because I've been working on everything," Omoruyi said. "During the season, my coaches knew I could shoot, but that wasn't my game. They just wanted me to be a better player and work on what I'm good at, so I've been working on adding the 3-pointer to my game, and that is going well." Omoruyi previously tested the predraft process in 2023, competing in the G League Elite Camp in Chicago, Illinois. He views himself as a completely different player than he was at that time, and is more comfortable doing different things on the court. That experience prepared him for this year, after he finished his collegiate career with the Crimson Tide. He is looking to make the most of this process and is eager to show teams that he can be a reliable player at the next level. "I can be the best version of myself, I just need the opportunity to get there and keep doing what I'm doing," Omoruyi said. "I'm already a great defensive player, and I can improve more. I just have to keep improving on my shooting and everything." Omoruyi is considered a potential second-round pick, with many projecting him to be a productive backup center. He has completed several workouts with teams, including the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers, and has additional visits scheduled this month. After a productive five years in college, Omoruyi is on the verge of advancing to the next stage of his career. He left his mark at each stop over that span, and is looking to do it again in the NBA. "He is one of the best kids I've ever coached," Oats said. "He is great. He has a high IQ and is all about the team. He was wonderful to coach. Whoever gets him is going to get a great kid. I hope he ends up in a great situation where he gets a real chance to play. I think he'll take full advantage of it."
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Jase Richardson drops to late first in recent Sports Illustrated NBA Mock Draft
Jase Richardson drops to late first in recent Sports Illustrated NBA Mock Draft A recent mock draft from Sports Illustrated has Michigan State Jase Richardson dropping to the late first round of the upcoming NBA Draft. In NBA Draft On SI's latest mock draft, Richardson dropped to the late first round, going No. 22 overall to the Atlanta Hawks. Richardson has widely been considered a late lottery or mid-first round pick so this mock from SI is definitely on the lower end for Richardson. Richardson starred for the Spartans during his lone season in college, playing a massive part in Michigan State winning the Big Ten and reaching the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. Richardson averaged 12.1 points per game and shot above 40% from three-point range, which raised his draft stock to where it was a no-brainer to enter the NBA Draft and leave after just one year. The landing spot for Richardson isn't a bad fit as he would have the opportunity to step into a playoff contending team right away in Atlanta. But dropping the later part of the first round would be disappointing to see since he has typically been mocked higher. The NBA Draft will be held on July 25 and 26 in Brooklyn. The draft will be televised on ABC and ESPN. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
