Joyce Edwards hasn’t even suited up for the South Carolina Gamecocks yet, but she already knows what she wants to accomplish at the next level. The Camden (SC) High School star, and the No. 2 ranked player in the Class of 2024, is a versatile 6-2 forward who can shoot, finish at the rim, block shots on the defensive end and execute. big time numbers. In the state championship game, he had 27 points and 20 rebounds, along with six blocks, to help lead the Bulldogs to their second straight 3-A state title.
But for Edwards, this is just the beginning.
“When I go to South Carolina, my main goal is just to get on the floor, be a defensive player because you can’t get on the floor without defense, and then sculpt my offense to be what the team needs,” he said. says: “I’m not coming to be a star player or anything. I’m just trying to come in and do what the team needs and fit into my role.”
He is about to join a program that is synonymous with winning. As we go to press, South Carolina has just posted back-to-back undefeated regular seasons, won its second straight SEC Tournament championship and is heading into March Madness as the No. 1 seed. It’s that reputation, along with the legacy of Don Steele, now in his 16th season since taking over the program in ’08, that made Edwards commit to the Gamecocks in the first place. After narrowing his top three schools to SC, LSU and Clemson, Edwards considered signing later in the signing period, and it was Dunn who he truly respected for his decision.
“Dunn’s reaction was completely different from everyone else’s.” He was like OK, why do you feel that way? I feel like it was really coaching. What Dunn said was a little different to me than other coaches.”
Dawn has produced future WNBA legends over the years, from 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year Aaliyah Boston to Ajah Wilson, a two-time WNBA champion and 2023 Finals MVP, whom Edwards had the chance to meet when South Carolina won. Maryland last November. Wilson even gave him some advice.
“(He was) talking about how when he came to South Carolina and they started him,” Edwards recalled of their conversation, “and he went out the next game and did what he had to do. I feel like he’s transitioning from being more of a role player for SC to being a more dominant player in the paint and leading them to a national championship. Just the whole process and his mindset and the progress he’s made through it, that’s one of the biggest things I’ve taken away from it.”
Edwards sees similarities in their games, too, and says his father often compares himself to Wilson. “Obviously he’s left-handed, but he’s got the bug in the bag. He can drive, he can face up, he posts. All the things he does, obviously I don’t do it at the same level as him, but I do a lot of similar things at my age.”
As he finishes his senior year at Camden, Edwards also plays soccer, which he says has helped his training and footwork on the field, and he’s already looking forward to the opportunities that await just 40 minutes away in Columbia.
“I feel like it can definitely be intimidating for some players,” he says. “But then I just remember that I play my best when I’m playing against and playing with big players in practice and stuff like that. I feel like I’m at South Carolina with the competition I’m going to play against in practice, like, these are WNBA legends. These people are going to go to the League and do great things. Playing against them in practice is just going to make me better and hopefully when I get in the game I think I’ll be really ready.”
Deisha Smith is an associate editor at SLAM. Follow her on Instagram and X, @deyschasmith.
Portraits by Kai McNeill. Follow her on Instagram, @thekaimac:.
