A concurrent RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM, HEAD COACH DAWN STALEY, HER COACHING STAFF, AND UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS FOR AN OUTSTANDING SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM ON THEIR SECOND STRAIGHT NCAA RUNNER-UP FINISH AND FIFTH CONSECUTIVE SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE REGULAR-SEASON TITLE.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly are pleased to recognize the University of South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team for completing an exceptional 2025-2026 season with an impressive 36-4 overall record; and

 

Whereas, the Gamecocks concluded the season as the NCAA runner-up for the second consecutive year, losing to an excellent UCLA team. The back-to-back runner-up finishes followed their 2024 national championship, their third national title overall; and

 

Whereas, in addition, the team captured its fifth consecutive Southeastern Conference (SEC) regular-season title, marking its sixth conference championship in the past seven years; and

 

Whereas, a talented group of well-coached players, the USC women's basketball team recorded seven victories against top ten opponents, including wins over Southern Cal, Texas, Vanderbilt, Oklahoma, LSU (twice), and UConn, finishing 7-3 against top ten teams and 3-3 against top five opponents; and

 

Whereas, one of the most notable victories of the season came in the Final Four, when the Gamecocks defeated the previously undefeated University of Connecticut, 62-48, ending the Huskies' 54-game winning streak and securing a place in the national championship game; and

 

Whereas, the 2025-2026 season was exceptional as the Gamecocks finished the season with several program records, including 85.6 points per game, 46.0 paint points per game, 21.4 points off turnovers per game, and 19.0 fast break points per game. Moreover, the team's season field goal percentage of .500 was the second highest in program history as was their .730 free throw percentage, 36 wins, and a 1.40 assist-to-turnover ratio; and

 

Whereas, individually, sophomore Joyce Edwards set the program record with 768 points on the season, while senior point guard Raven Johnson set the program record with a 2.86 career assist-to-turnover ratio, finishing her college career as a Gamecock who made five trips to the NCAA Final Four, including four championship game appearances, two of which yielded national titles (2022, 2024). Junior Tessa Johnson's 90 made 3-pointers are the third most in program history, and she holds the program record for made 3s in career NCAA Tournament games at 27; and

 

Whereas, under the leadership of Head Coach Dawn Staley, the coaching staff has demonstrated exceptional dedication and expertise, fostering both athletic excellence and personal growth among student athletes. This year, Joyce Edwards, a student in the Honors College studying environmental science with GPA of over 3.7, earned a spot on the 2026 College Sports Communicators Academic All-America Second Team, while seniors Raven Johnson, Ta'Niya Latson, and Madina Okot were selected in the WNBA Draft 2026 by the Indiana Fever, the Atlanta Dream, and the Los Angeles Sparks respectively; and

 

Whereas, the achievements of the University of South Carolina women's basketball program have brought great pride and recognition to the University and to the State of South Carolina. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

 

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and honor the University of South Carolina women's basketball team, Head Coach Dawn Staley, her coaching staff, and university officials for an outstanding season and congratulate them on their second straight NCAA runner-up finish and fifth consecutive Southeastern Conference regular-season title.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Head Coach Dawn Staley.

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