Joyce Edwards Dominates the Court, Breaks Records, and Earns the Title of ‘Best of the Best’ as She Powers South Carolina Women’s Basketball to New Heights of Greatness

From her first step onto the court at Colonial Life Arena, freshman forward Joyce Edwards refused to be labeled a prodigy. She let her game speak. As the 2024 Gatorade and Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year, a McDonald’s All‑American MVP, and the No. 2 recruit in the country, expectations were high, but Edwards has already exceeded them—breaking records, earning accolades, and claiming her place among Gamecock legends.

Edwards arrived with credentials that dazzled. In high school she averaged over 31 points, 13 rebounds, 4.5 steals, and 3.3 blocks per game, earning national attention as a versatile two‑way force (playeroftheyear.gatorade.com, en.wikipedia.org). Her freshman season at South Carolina was nothing short of electric: she averaged 12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game on 52.9% shooting. She also contributed 1.1 steals and 0.5 blocks per outing, playing 21.4 minutes a night over 39 games (espn.com).

Early signs of her impact emerged in late November 2024, when she logged her first double‑double—13 points and 11 rebounds—against Iowa State (en.wikipedia.org). A few months later, on February 13, she exploded for a career‑high 28 points in a 101‑63 win over Florida. Playing just 20 minutes, she became the first freshman in South Carolina history to score 28 in an SEC game (gamecocksonline.com).

In SEC play, Edwards’s performances turned heads. She led the Gamecocks with 19 points and 10 rebounds during a 90‑49 rout of Texas A&M on January 10—helping South Carolina secure its 50th straight conference victory (reuters.com). Her consistent dominance earned her titles: Freshman All‑American, First‑Team All‑SEC, and a spot on the SEC All‑Freshman Team—a rare trifecta, following only in the footsteps of A’ja Wilson (2015) and Aliyah Boston (2020) (en.wikipedia.org).

Her breakout influence peaked during South Carolina’s Final Four run. In the 74‑57 victory over Texas, Edwards came off the bench to record 13 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists—becoming the first player in 25 years to post a 10+ points, 10+ rebounds, 5+ assists game off the bench in a Final Four (secsports.com). Her performance essentially sealed the win and propelled the Gamecocks toward another national championship appearance .

Beyond the numbers, Edwards’ calm, assertive presence reflects Dawn Staley’s blueprint: selfless, team‑first, and always ready. Teammates and analysts note she embodies South Carolina’s depth-first mindset—unlike previous dynastic teams built around star supernovas, this version is defined by collective impact, with Edwards leading the charge .

So where now for the freshman phenom? She’s already earning invites to USA Basketball events, including the 2025 AmeriCup roster—a sign that her trajectory extends beyond college (thestate.com). But it’s not just elite exposure: comparisons to past Gamecock greats are arriving. Edwards is in elite company, likened to Aliyah Boston, A’ja Wilson, and Tiffany Mitchell—not just academically but in early impact (on3.com). One On3 report even suggested with sustained growth, Edwards has the potential to eventually join the pantheon of jersey‑retired legends (on3.com).

Her statistical excellence across all phases speaks to this potential: 12.7 points, 5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.1 steals per game—all while shooting over 52% from the field. Her per‑game tournament averages—10 points, six rebounds, and 1.8 assists—demonstrate her ability to thrive in high‑pressure settings (espn.com).

Here’s a snapshot of her standout performances:

• 28 points vs Florida—most ever by a freshman in an SEC game (gamecocksonline.com)
• 50th straight SEC win: 19 points, 10 rebounds vs Texas A&M (reuters.com)
• Final Four brilliance: 13-11-6 statline vs Texas (secsports.com)

It’s also hard to forget the blowout Florida game where the team scored 101—the bench poured in 60, and Edwards set that tone with 28 points .

National recognition followed: she was named SEC Freshman of the Week after her debut double‑double ; First‑Team All‑SEC and Freshman All‑American honors came season-end (en.wikipedia.org).

Edwards’s blend of size (6’3″), skill (versatile scoring, strong rebounding, playmaking), and intangibles (maturity, composure under pressure) all mesh perfectly with Dawn Staley’s vision. They represent a new type of superstar—team‑oriented but impact-ready.

The comparison to her peers reflects this. Unlike some freshmen overloaded with expectation, Edwards has grown into her role organically. On3’s analysis notes that while earlier stars like Boston or Wilson arrived with more fanfare, Edwards’s trajectory shows a calculated progression—starting with contribution, then dominance (on3.com).

With UConn looming in the championship game, the stakes are sky-high. Edwards scored six of South Carolina’s first swing in that final matchup—a microcosm of her poise. Though UConn led early, her play helped steady South Carolina and earned a lead by game’s end .

Her postseason stats speak volumes: in the semifinals and championship, she averaged over 11 points, six rebounds, and 1.8 assists across high-stakes matchups . In every elite game, she has shown readiness and influence.

Edwards isn’t just a phenom on paper—she’s a champion in growth. With comparisons to past first-team phenoms and Dynastic impact, she earned her nickname: “Best of the Best.” She’s not only living up to hype—she’s rewriting it. In a program that prizes culture over cluster, Edwards melds individual excellence into team excellence.

The path ahead is clear: she has the tools to be a multi-year star, perhaps another Dawn Staley juggernaut. Like the legends before her, Edwards’s trajectory—with progression, maturity, and postseason impact—signals a potential for legacy that she’s already begun building .

Next season, she’ll graduate from heralded rookie to front-line star, expected to helm a championship run. With those foundations in place, she’s on track to join the ranks of Gamecock immortals—her jersey one day hanging in the rafters.

Joyce Edwards arrived as the promise of the future. In 2024‑25, she became the standard. She conquered adversity, broke records, and anchored a national-title chase. She did it with poise, power, and passion. Now, her story is only beginning. With a freshman year that rivals any in history, Edwards isn’t just part of South Carolina’s dynasty—she’s building it.