“I’m worried every day. Every day. Every single day. They’re still very young. They’ve had young moments. They’ve had mature moments. They’ve had questionable moments,” shared South Carolina head coach, Dawn Staley, last year.

These were Staley’s comments after guiding her team through a season in which she instilled confidence in each of her players, despite saying goodbye to five of her starters a year prior.

That’s how Staley’s Gamecocks managed to claim an undefeated season. However, keeping up with expectations this year would not be easy, especially with one of the team’s most influential players absent from the roster. But now, there’s hope she might be returning soon.

Ashlyn Watkins tangled in legal troubles

After playing just 14 minutes in a game against the Iowa Hawkeyes on April 8, Watkins never returned to the court. This was due to as-ault and ki-napping charges she faced in connection to her girlfriend (revealed later) on August 31st of last year. Authorities later issued an arrest warrant against her, reportedly backed by evidence.

Which South Carolina Gamecocks player is known for being the first in program history to dunk in both her freshman and sophomore seasons?

A’ja Wilson
Kamilla Cardoso
Ashlyn Watkins
Aliyah Boston

Following the instance, Watkins was released on a $30,000 personal recognizance bond, casting a shadow over her collegiate basketball career. “We’re not gonna move until her situation is settled down a little bit. It’s out of her control. It’s out of our control,” Staley had shared.

She was not even able to accompany her teammates to the White House for their national championship celebration. However, after the initial hearing last month fell through, delaying any developments in the case, new updates have made their way through.

Reports suggest a positive light for the forward

The recent court records reveal that her charges were dismissed on November 1. Yet, fans eagerly await an update on her return. According to ESPN, “there was no immediate word on her suspension” from the women’s college basketball team.

While the top-ranked Gamecocks already opened the season last Monday with a close 68-62 victory against Michigan, Watkins’ return remains uncertain. “Ashlyn has a great voice in the locker room,” Staley once said, acknowledging Watkins’ leadership within the team.

The 6’3″ forward is a significant asset to South Carolina, known as one of the team’s best defensive players and a key figure in the locker room. Watkins played a pivotal role in the Gamecocks’ 38-0 national championship season, leading the conference with 91 blocks and averaging 9.2 points per game. These numbers gain perspective when you consider she ranked just behind WNBA first-round pick Kamilla Cardoso, who averaged 7.4 rebounds per game.

But that’s not all. Watkins is also the first player in program history to dunk in both her freshman and sophomore seasons, cementing her place in the Gamecocks’ history books. So, what do you think? Will she be back on the court any time soon?