For the First Time in Their History, the South Carolina Women’s Basketball Team Advances to Consecutive Championship Games

In the storied world of NCAA women’s basketball, few programs have managed to etch their names into the elite tier—reserved for dynasties like Tennessee under Pat Summitt or UConn under Geno Auriemma. Yet, in recent years, a new force has emerged from Columbia, South Carolina. The South Carolina Gamecocks, led by visionary head coach Dawn Staley, have not only asserted their dominance but have now achieved a milestone never before reached in the program’s history: back-to-back appearances in the national championship game.

The 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons solidified South Carolina’s position at the summit of collegiate basketball. This accomplishment isn’t just about two seasons of success—it’s about a decade of sustained excellence coming to fruition, evolving into a full-fledged dynasty.

When Dawn Staley was hired in 2008, South Carolina was not considered a national contender. In fact, they were largely an afterthought in the SEC. Staley brought with her not only Olympic medals and WNBA accolades but a coaching vision rooted in discipline, toughness, and opportunity. Over the next decade, she transformed the program through rigorous recruitment, development, and a culture of winning.

From the 2016–17 national championship season to multiple Final Four appearances, Staley had already elevated the Gamecocks. But what the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons revealed was the birth of a sustained, undeniable championship-level program. And the turning point? Reaching consecutive national title games for the first time ever

The 2023–24 campaign began with high expectations—but no one could have predicted the perfection that would follow. Game after game, the Gamecocks dismantled their opponents. Kamilla Cardoso emerged as a towering presence in the paint. Freshman phenom MiLaysia Fulwiley dazzled with her handles and court vision. The bench contributed night in and night out, emphasizing South Carolina’s incredible depth.

They ended the regular season a perfect 29–0, dominating the SEC and steamrolling through conference play. Their defense was suffocating, often holding opponents to under 50 points per game

Entering the tournament as the No. 1 overall seed, South Carolina looked as dominant as ever. In the early rounds, they dispatched lower-seeded opponents with ease. But in the Final Four, they faced a familiar adversary: Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

The championship game was billed as a rematch of sorts. In 2023, South Carolina fell to Iowa in the Final Four, ending their title hopes. This time, the Gamecocks were prepared. With a balanced attack and suffocating defense, they avenged their previous loss and defeated Iowa 87–75. It was South Carolina’s third national championship and the first undefeated season in school history.

Coming off an undefeated season and championship title, the Gamecocks entered 2024–25 with a massive target. Every opponent wanted a piece of them. Despite some early-season stumbles—including losses to Texas and UConn—South Carolina maintained their top-5 ranking for the majority of the year.

The loss to UConn during the regular season was particularly stinging and would prove to be a harbinger of things to come. But what stood out about this team was its resiliency. They battled injuries, endured close games, and still managed to win the SEC Tournament for the fourth time in five years.

As March arrived, South Carolina hit their stride. Each tournament game was a war, but their depth and experience prevailed. In the Elite Eight, they survived a grueling match against Duke, and in the Final Four, they edged past Stanford in a low-scoring thriller.

Their destination was clear: a second consecutive national title game—this time against the very team that had handed them their worst loss of the season, the UConn Huskies

Anticipation for the 2025 championship was sky-high. Two powerhouses. Two legendary coaches. Two programs with massive legacies on the line. South Carolina was attempting to become the first back-to-back champion since UConn in 2016. UConn, meanwhile, was chasing its 12th national title and looking to reclaim its dominance after years of near-misses.

The first half was tightly contested. South Carolina trailed by just four points going into halftime. Kamilla Cardoso battled inside against UConn’s frontcourt, while Fulwiley hit big shots from outside. But in the third quarter, UConn exploded on a 19–4 run, led by Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers.

South Carolina, for the first time in two seasons, looked overwhelmed. Their shots weren’t falling, and defensive lapses allowed UConn to balloon the lead. In the end, the Huskies ran away with the game, winning 82–59.

It was a disappointing finish—but also a powerful testament to South Carolina’s consistency. Despite not repeating as champions, they had accomplished something historic: reaching two consecutive title games, a first for their program.

From 2020 to 2025, South Carolina appeared in five Final Fours and three championship games, winning two national titles. This is the stuff dynasties are made of. Dawn Staley has built a program that is not only elite in the short term but sustainable in the long term.

One of the major reasons for South Carolina’s success is Staley’s recruiting prowess. Year after year, she brings in top-5 recruiting classes. But it’s not just talent—it’s development. Players like Aliyah Boston, Zia Cooke, Kamilla Cardoso, and now Fulwiley were not just stars—they were team-first leaders who improved steadily under Staley’s guidance.

South Carolina has redefined what it means to be a basketball powerhouse in the South. Traditionally, the South had been dominated by football. But with consistent sellouts at Colonial Life Arena, massive television viewership, and strong NIL backing, the Gamecocks have turned women’s basketball into a cultural movement in Columbia.

Dawn Staley is already a Hall of Famer, both as a player and a coach. But her work at South Carolina may go down as her most transformative achievement. She took a middling program and turned it into a perennial contender. With three national titles, multiple SEC crowns, and unmatched consistency, Staley has joined the pantheon of all-time greats.

Beyond wins and losses, Staley has been a powerful voice for women’s sports, equity, and social justice. She’s used her platform to empower young athletes—especially Black women—encouraging them to take ownership of their identities both on and off the court. Her impact extends far beyond basketball.

Standing at 6’7”, Cardoso has been a dominant force. A transfer from Syracuse, she became the foundation of South Carolina’s interior play. Her rebounding, rim protection, and leadership were vital during the 2023–24 title run.

Fulwiley brought flash and fire to the Gamecocks. A local recruit from Columbia, she represented the next generation of South Carolina stars. Her creativity and confidence were crucial in both title game runs, and she’s poised to be the face of the program moving forward.

These two guards controlled the tempo. Johnson’s defense and court vision, paired with Paopao’s shooting touch, created one of the most reliable backcourts in the nation.

With the 2025 championship game behind them, South Carolina now looks toward the future. Several seniors will graduate or head to the WNBA, but the recruiting pipeline remains strong. They’re bringing in another top-ranked class, and with Fulwiley, Johnson, and others returning, expectations are once again sky-high.

Can they return to a third straight championship game? It’s a daunting task—but under Staley, it feels not just possible, but probable.

The South Carolina women’s basketball team has shattered expectations, rewritten history, and inspired a new generation of fans. Reaching back-to-back national championship games for the first time is more than a statistic—it’s a symbol of their rise.

From underdogs to champions to perennial contenders, the Gamecocks are now the gold standard in women’s college basketball. As they move forward, they carry with them the lessons of triumph and defeat, and the unwavering belief that greatness is not a moment—it’s a tradition.