South Carolina WBB numbers revealed, including Joyce Edwards’ historic jersey

South Carolina women’s basketball announced the 2024-25 team’s jersey numbers this week.

Joyce Edwards, USC’s most highly touted freshman, will wear No. 8. She’s the first player in program history to rep No. 8 and to wear a digit higher than five since the NCAA lifted its rule last season that forbade players from doing so.

Edwards wore No. 12 during her illustrious career at Camden High School, but rising sophomore MiLaysia Fulwiley already had the number. Fulwiley wore No. 23 in high school but switched to No. 12 last season because No. 23 already belonged to Bree Hall.

Freshman point guard Maddy McDaniel will wear No. 1 -- the same number she wore at Bishop McNamara in Maryland. She’s the fifth player in South Carolina history to wear No. 1 since Zia Cooke of “The Freshies” from 2019-23.

Freshman big Adhel Tac, who enrolled early in January after suffering a season-ending knee injury, will wear No. 15. She’s the seventh Gamecock to wear No. 15 and first since Laeticia Amihere (2019-23).

Forward Maryam Dauda, who transfered to South Carolina from Arkansas this offseason, will wear No. 30, which is the same number she wore in high school and with the Razorbacks. She’s the 10th South Carolina player to wear No. 30 and first since Pamela Decheva in 2012.

All nine of USC’s returners will wear the same numbers they wore last season. This includes Raven Johnson, who wears No. 25.

Though South Carolina doesn’t retire numbers anymore, it did retire Tiffany Mitchell’s No. 25 jersey in the 2023-24 home opener versus Maryland. Last fall Johnson said coach Dawn Staley told her she could wear No. 25 in 2023-24 and “then next year we’ll figure it out.”

The only retired USC women’s basketball numbers are Martha Parker’s 13, Shannon Johnson’s 14 and Sheila Foster’s 53. They can no longer be worn.

When in town for her jersey retirement, Mitchell said Johnson’s speed and athleticism reminded her of the way she plays the game.

Her message to Johnson: “Look, if you’re gonna wear the 25, though, you’re gonna have to wear it with some pride and know who was wearing it before you.”

South Carolina’s 2024-25 “repeat tour” begins Nov. 4 in Las Vegas against Michigan.

South Carolina women’s basketball 2024-25 jersey numbers

• Te-Hina Paopao: No. 0

• Maddy McDaniel: No. 1

• Ashlyn Watkins: No. 2

• Tessa Johnson: No. 5

• Joyce Edwards: No. 8

• MiLaysia Fulwiley: No. 12

• Adhel Tac: No. 15

• Sania Feagin: No. 20

• Chloe Kitts: No. 21

• Bree Hall: No. 23

• Raven Johnson: No. 25

• Maryam Dauda: No. 30

• Sakima Walker: No. 35