At just 19 years old, freshman forward Joyce Edwards has rapidly emerged as one of the most dynamic players in women’s college basketball. Representing the South Carolina Gamecocks, she not only leads her team in scoring but also typifies a complete player—exceptionally versatile, poised, and record-breaking.
- Leading Scorer: In her very first season, Edwards topped the Gamecocks with an average of 12.7 points per game, including leading the team in scoring in 13 contests—seven of which were against ranked teams
- Scoring Efficiency: Her field goal percentage (a stellar 53.5%) ranked fourth in the SECshowcasing her proficiency and smart shot selection.
- Career-High 28 Points: On February 13, 2025, Edwards exploded for a career-high 28 points in a dominant 101–63 victory over Florida—marking the highest single-game point total by a freshman against an SEC opponent in program history
- Double-Double Debut: Her breakout moment came on November 28, 2024, against Iowa State with 13 points and 11 rebounds, earning her the SEC Freshman of the Week honor (
- Monthly Honors: She won SEC Freshman of the Week multiple times—early December, late January, and again in late January—highlighting her consistency and impact .
- First-Team All-SEC & Freshman All-SEC: By season’s end, Edwards earned prestigious recognition as First-Team All-SEC and a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team—becoming the third Gamecock freshman ever honored on the first team
Edwards brings a thrilling blend of athleticism, intelligence, and hustle:
- Inside-Out Threat: Standing 6’3″, she attacks the paint with finesse, yet remains versatile enough to finish with back-to-the-basket moves and finishes over defenders.
- Elite Rebounding & Defense: Averaging five rebounds and over one steal per game in conference action, Edwards contributes significantly on both ends
- High Basketball IQ: Head coach Dawn Staley praised her mental acuity, saying, “She plays basketball the right way … sees it and makes really good decisions”Swiss Army Knife Role: As noted by Swish Appeal, her ability to guard multiple positions, crash boards, score, and defend makes her an indispensable asset
- Spotlight Performances: Beyond her big scoring nights, Edwards has consistently stepped up in high-profile moments—recording a double-double in the NCAA Final Four against Texas (13 points, 11 rebounds) and contributing key plays throughout the tournament .
- Program Legacy: Playing under Dawn Staley at a historically dominant program, she’s following in the footsteps of stars like A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston—already earning comparisons for her skill, work ethic, and basketball IQ
- High School Dominance: Before turning heads in college, Edwards was a star at Camden High School—leading the team to back-to-back state championships, twice earning South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year honors, and being named Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year (
- USA Basketball MVP: On the international stage, she led Team USA to gold at the 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup, averaging 14.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2 steals per game, while earning MVP honors
What Coaches & Teammates Say
- Dawn Staley: “Joyce is going to be the best player in college basketball one day … she’s highly motivated,” Staley asserted, noting both Edwards’ physical talent and cerebral game (dailygamecock.com).
- A’ja Wilson: During a jersey retirement game, Wilson remarked, “Her IQ … is going to take her far … She’s going to be perfect,” likening Edwards’ patience to her own (dailygamecock.com).
- Fan Perspective (Reddit): One fan posted,Another added,
“She’s a silent assassin … phenomenal student … will lead this team to championships” (reddit.com).
- Academics & Character: Edwards is on a pre-law track in South Carolina’s honors college. Coach Staley even developed an environmental engineering curriculum to support her academic ambitions (dailygamecock.com).
- Well-Rounded Excellence: She excelled not only in basketball, but also volleyball and soccer during high school—demonstrating athletic versatility and work ethic .
- Humble & Grounded: Off the court, Edwards is praised for her humility and kindness. A fellow student noted
Edwards is already a cornerstone of South Carolina’s current squad and has her eyes set on sustained excellence:
- NCAA Tournament Potential: With her contributions, the Gamecocks have secured top seed positioning and remain strong contenders for back-to-back national championships.
- Future National Accolades: Given the season’s accolades and her upward trajectory, Edwards is on track for National Freshman of the Year and even All-American honors—if not in 2025, then soon thereafter.
- WNBA Prospects: As she gains experience and refines her game, she’s shaping up to be a top-10 NBA draft pick contender—anchored by her combination of size, skill, and intelligence.
Joyce Edwards is more than a promising freshman—she’s an embodiment of what South Carolina’s program represents: excellence, discipline, and versatility. Leading the Gamecocks in scoring, shattering records, and drawing glowing praise from peers and legends alike, Edwards is already among the elite.
Her journey—from pro basketball dominance at Camden High to MVP performances on the international stage, and now as a freshman phenom under Dawn Staley—reads like the blueprint of a future legend. With her blend of athletic prowess, intellectual sharpness, and unshakeable composure, Joyce Edwards is primed to leave a lasting mark on the program, the SEC, and women’s college basketball at large.
Let me know if you’d like full stats breakdowns, game logs, or insights on her offseason training and NBA-level projection!
