She’s earned the nickname “Tournament Tessa” for her clutch performances in March — but South Carolina can’t afford to wait until then. Now, the team needs her to be that difference-maker every game. The real question: is she ready to step up and take on that role full-time?

They call her “Tournament Tessa” — a nickname born from brilliance in the postseason, a badge of honor earned under the bright lights of March. When the stakes are highest, when the noise is loudest and the pressure mounts, she comes alive. It’s during the NCAA Tournament that Tessa has built her reputation: clutch shots, fearless drives, crucial stops. But as South Carolina eyes another national championship and prepares for the grind of an unforgiving SEC schedule, there’s an urgent question lingering over the program — can Tessa be more than just a tournament hero? Can she become the everyday engine of a team that now depends on her in ways it never has before?

The reality is that South Carolina is in transition. Yes, Dawn Staley remains the standard-setter, and yes, the Gamecocks are always loaded with talent. But in the ever-evolving world of college basketball — with transfers coming and going, NIL deals influencing decisions, and young stars rising faster than ever — stability isn’t guaranteed. What is clear, though, is that South Carolina needs a leader to emerge. Not just in the spotlight, but in the shadows of the regular season. They need consistency. They need dependability. And increasingly, all signs point to Tessa stepping into that role.

It’s a tall order. Being a postseason spark is one thing — it’s electric, it’s emotional, and it often rides adrenaline and the momentum of a single-elimination format. But being the anchor of a top-tier team from November through April? That’s a different kind of pressure. That requires stamina, focus, and maturity. It means delivering on a Tuesday night in College Station just as much as in a packed Final Four arena.

Last season, Tessa averaged solid numbers during the regular campaign. Her shooting percentages were respectable, and she showed flashes of the takeover potential that has defined her tournament play. But it wasn’t until the postseason that she truly turned heads. In back-to-back games against top-ranked opponents, she went nuclear — draining threes with confidence, orchestrating the offense with poise, and defending with intensity. Analysts raved. Opposing coaches scrambled to adjust. And South Carolina fans began to wonder: what if she played like this all the time?

The answer to that question may define South Carolina’s 2025 season.

Inside the program, there’s no doubt about Tessa’s ability. Teammates speak of her work ethic in practice, her vocal leadership during film sessions, and her desire to grow. Staley, never one to sugarcoat expectations, has been direct. “Tessa has the tools,” she said during the team’s summer workouts. “But it’s about putting it all together — mentally, physically, emotionally — every night. We need her to be our constant.”

That’s where the challenge lies. For years, Tessa thrived in a complementary role, playing behind All-Americans and leaning into the moments when the spotlight found her. Now, she has to go looking for it. No more hiding behind veterans. No more easing into games. The team’s structure has shifted. The offense is being redesigned with her at the center. And her minutes, responsibilities, and expectations have all increased.

There’s reason to believe she’s ready.

Tessa’s offseason has been telling. Rather than take a break after her tournament heroics, she doubled down. She trained relentlessly, focusing on expanding her shooting range and tightening her ball-handling. She worked with trainers on finishing through contact and staying balanced off the dribble. She spent time studying film — not just of her own play, but of WNBA stars and other college guards who have sustained greatness over an entire season. Her social media presence has been quiet, but teammates say she’s never been louder behind the scenes.

“She’s locked in,” one teammate said. “Like, more than ever. She knows this is her moment.”

Still, being “locked in” is only part of the equation. Basketball is a rhythm sport, and staying consistent over the course of 30-plus games requires navigating slumps, injuries, and fatigue. Can Tessa keep her confidence through a cold shooting streak? Can she lead vocally when the team is down 15 in a hostile arena? Can she inspire teammates not just by performance, but by presence?

Those are the intangibles that separate stars from legends — and Tessa is now being asked to chase the latter.

It’s not just about stats. Though Tessa’s numbers will be closely monitored, what matters most is how she impacts the game beyond the box score. Does she make the right read in crunch time? Does she draw defenders and open up space for others? Does her defensive energy lift the entire squad? Those questions will be answered in conference play, where familiarity breeds difficulty and no game is a gimme.

South Carolina’s schedule won’t offer any favors either. With marquee matchups against LSU, Tennessee, and UConn, there won’t be time to ease into form. The Gamecocks will be tested early and often. They’ll face teams hungry to knock off the powerhouse, to derail what has become one of the most respected dynasties in women’s college basketball. And when those challenges come, the team will turn to Tessa — not for one shining moment, but for every quarter, every possession.

It’s easy to romanticize the idea of a breakout star. College basketball is full of them — players who suddenly seize the national stage and become household names. But what South Carolina needs from Tessa isn’t a surprise performance. It’s a reliable, steady, season-long impact that transforms her from Tournament Tessa into Everyday Tessa. That’s a much more difficult transformation, but one that can elevate not just her career, but the trajectory of this year’s team.

Off the court, Tessa has become more visible too. She’s participating in team community events, representing South Carolina in national interviews, and engaging more with fans. All of it suggests a player who is embracing her new identity. Not just as a contributor. Not just as a postseason weapon. But as the face of the program — a responsibility that few are built to handle, but one that Tessa now wears with growing confidence.

There will be setbacks. No player makes that leap without bumps in the road. A bad shooting night, a tough loss, an off-game defensively — those moments will come. The key will be how Tessa responds. Does she bounce back stronger? Does she rally the team instead of retreating? Does she use adversity as fuel, rather than letting it shake her?

If early indications are any sign, she’s already starting to answer those questions. In South Carolina’s preseason scrimmages, she’s taken control more assertively. She’s directing traffic, calling out switches on defense, and asking for the ball when the clock winds down. Those are the signs of a player stepping into something bigger than a role — stepping into an identity.

Because that’s what’s truly at stake this season.

Tessa has always had the talent. She’s always had the fire. And during the tournament, she’s shown the world what she’s capable of when everything clicks. But for South Carolina to reach its ceiling — for the Gamecocks to make another Final Four run, to hoist another trophy — they need Tessa not just to show up when it matters most, but to matter most, always.

The nickname “Tournament Tessa” was earned. It speaks to her grit, her poise, her ability to elevate when others shrink. But if this season unfolds the way South Carolina hopes it will, that moniker might soon feel outdated. Because if Tessa can meet this moment — if she can replace flashes of greatness with sustained excellence — then the entire country will have to start calling her something else:

South Carolina’s cornerstone.