The Missing Piece? Joins Stacked Gamecocks Squad, National Championship Aspirations Soar

When the No. 1 player in America chooses your program, expectations shift overnight. Hype intensifies. So do headlines. For South Carolina women’s basketball — already the pinnacle of dominance under Hall of Famer Dawn Staley — the addition of Agot Makeer, the top-rated wing in the country and a player many consider the most complete recruit in her class, feels less like another big win and more like the missing piece.

Makeer officially committed to the Gamecocks over Nebraska and Kentucky this week, sending a clear message across the landscape of women’s college basketball: the rich just got richer.

And in Columbia, the bar just got higher.

A Program Built to Win — And Keep Winning

It’s no secret what Dawn Staley has built at South Carolina. Since taking over the program in 2008, she’s transformed a historically middling SEC team into a national juggernaut. The Gamecocks have won three national championships (2017, 2022, and 2024), routinely produce All-Americans and WNBA talent, and have become the gold standard for development and culture.

Now, Staley welcomes a player in Makeer who’s not just talented — she’s transformative.

The 6-foot-1 Canadian wing, who starred at Montverde Academy in Florida, brings a dazzling combination of size, speed, and shot-making ability that many scouts believe will translate immediately to the college game. Makeer’s decision to join the Gamecocks rather than carve a new path elsewhere speaks volumes.

“I felt like it was home,” Makeer said during her commitment ceremony. “Coach Staley is a legend, but she’s also real. She doesn’t just talk about building players — she lives it. I want to be challenged. I want to win. South Carolina gives me both.”

Why Makeer Chose the Gamecocks

Makeer’s top three came down to South Carolina, Kentucky, and Nebraska — a mix of established tradition and rising programs. Kentucky has made a significant push in recruiting under its new staff, and Nebraska was viewed as a dark-horse contender late in the process, offering a leading role and instant stardom.

But ultimately, South Carolina’s track record with player development, exposure, and championship culture proved too compelling.

“When you walk into that building, you feel the expectations,” said Makeer. “It’s not just about basketball. It’s about becoming the best version of yourself.”

Behind closed doors, Staley and her staff pitched Makeer not only on what she could be in Columbia, but also on how she fit into a vision that already includes top-tier talent. That’s not an easy sell for a star used to being the center of attention.

But Makeer saw something deeper: a program that celebrates sacrifice for greatness.

The On-Court Fit: Versatility & Leadership

What makes Makeer truly special is her positional fluidity. She can play the 2, 3, or 4 depending on matchups, guard multiple positions, and is an elite transition finisher. Her length makes her a defensive nightmare, and she’s evolved into a capable three-point shooter with off-the-dribble creativity.

With South Carolina’s roster expected to return a strong core led by Ashlyn Watkins and Chloe Kitts, and incoming talents like Sahnya Jah and Milaysia Fulwiley (assuming no transfers), Makeer doesn’t need to carry the entire load.

Instead, she becomes a weapon among weapons — and possibly the glue that elevates the entire system.

“She’s a connector,” one scout told ESPN. “She can score, but she doesn’t force. She finds open shooters, crashes the glass, takes charges, and communicates. That’s the kind of player that wins championships.”

Makeer has also earned high praise for her maturity and leadership. Despite her youth, coaches have described her as an “old soul” who plays with a professional-level approach.

South Carolina’s Reload, Not Rebuild, Mentality

In today’s age of the transfer portal, NIL deals, and player mobility, staying on top requires constant adaptation. For Staley, that has meant managing egos, retaining stars, and blending elite recruiting with the occasional portal splash.

The 2024-25 season will again feature a Gamecocks squad loaded with expectations — especially with Makeer in the mix.

This commitment further underlines South Carolina’s reload, not rebuild mentality. While other programs cycle through 3-year windows of relevance, the Gamecocks continue to maintain a standard that few can match.

“It’s about trust,” Staley said recently. “We recruit players who want to be coached, who want to win the hard way, and who understand it’s not about me — it’s about we.”

A Growing Pipeline: Canada to Columbia

Makeer also continues a growing trend of international players starring at U.S. powerhouses. Hailing from Thunder Bay, Ontario, she’s part of a surge of elite Canadian talent making waves in NCAA women’s hoops.

Canada has produced a number of impact players in recent years, and South Carolina has smartly tapped into that pool — both through grassroots scouting and exposure at national camps.

Makeer’s move to Montverde Academy, a premier prep program known for producing NBA and WNBA prospects, only helped her polish her game and gain experience against elite competition.

“She’s been battle-tested,” said Montverde coach Renee Miller. “She doesn’t shy away from contact, and she’s a sponge — always learning. I told Dawn she’d be getting one of the most coachable kids I’ve ever had.”

Championship Aspirations: The Missing Piece?

After winning the 2024 national championship with a blend of defense, depth, and grit, South Carolina’s ceiling in 2025 might be even higher. With Makeer joining a nucleus that includes elite frontcourt presence and battle-hardened veterans, some believe this may be Staley’s most talented roster ever.

That’s saying something.

The SEC remains competitive — with LSU, Tennessee, and Ole Miss all bolstering their lineups — but Makeer’s commitment could tip the balance yet again in Columbia’s favor.

“She’s the kind of player that takes a Final Four team and makes them champions,” said one longtime SEC assistant.

Legacy on the Line: Dawn Staley’s Empire Grows

For Coach Staley, the journey continues — not just to win titles, but to evolve the game. As one of the most influential figures in women’s basketball, Staley has changed the way programs recruit, develop, and build brands.

Landing Makeer isn’t just about adding talent. It’s about continuing the standard.

“I don’t take it for granted,” Staley said. “When a player like Agot puts her trust in us, it reminds me why we do this. We want to build women — not just hoopers. And we want to win while doing it.”

If Makeer lives up to the hype — and all signs point to yes — Staley might soon be adding another trophy to her growing collection.

NIL & Exposure: Why South Carolina Makes Sense

It’s impossible to ignore the NIL component in modern recruiting. South Carolina offers one of the nation’s strongest women’s basketball platforms in terms of fan engagement, exposure, and marketing potential.

Makeer, already considered a future WNBA star, now enters a market that will elevate her brand even further. From ESPN broadcasts to packed Colonial Life Arena crowds, her profile will only grow.

And with Staley’s strong stance on empowering athletes — both financially and personally — Makeer is poised to thrive in the spotlight without being swallowed by it.

A Message to the Nation

Makeer’s decision sent ripples through the basketball world.

To her peers, it’s a declaration: If you want to play with the best and become the best, Columbia is the place to be.

To the rest of the SEC, it’s a warning: South Carolina isn’t slowing down.

To the fans, it’s a gift: another elite talent, another championship push, and another chapter in the dynasty Staley is authoring.

The Dynasty Continues

Agot Makeer’s commitment to South Carolina isn’t just another recruiting win. It’s a validation of everything Dawn Staley has built. It’s a signal to the rest of college basketball that the Gamecocks remain not just relevant — but dominant.

Makeer could have gone anywhere. She chose the program with the highest bar, the biggest spotlight, and the fiercest competition.

In doing so, she may have just become the piece that makes an already elite puzzle complete.