Even With Career-High Tally, Dawn Staley Reveals Joyce Edwards’ Need to Improve as Gamecocks Win

When you drop a career-high performance, and the coach goes on to praise you while pointing out areas you can still improve, it’s a sign that you’re in good hands. 19-year-old Joyce Edwards is experiencing that under Dawn Staley.

Staley is known for setting high standards, and she demands dedication from her players, especially those who hold a lot of potential in her eyes.

The Gamecocks registered a 95-55 blowout victory against Penn State. Edwards had a brilliant game, scoring 29 points, four rebounds, five assists, four blocks, and six steals. It was her career high performance in points and steals.

After the game, Staley heaped praise on the forward.

“I do think we are working with her to just kind of be more than a scorer because she is one that can pretty much fill the stat sheet,” STALEY SAID. “It wasn’t at (all) times where she did that. Now she’s aware of it, and she’s executing.”

What stood out from her comments on Edwards was the areas she pointed out where the youngster can improve.

“We want the rebound to be a little better, yes we do but the other stuff, the five assists, no turnovers, six steals, four blocks, that is who she is,” Staley said.

Staley understands the potential that Edwards has, and it takes a special leader like the WNBA legend to help her realize it all. Staley said that she can fill up the stat sheet all by herself, but the overall improvement is what will make her a standout player.

Joyce Edwards Has the ‘Win At All Costs’ Mentality

Edwards has already collected a few notable achievements in her young career. She is a Freshman All-American, First-team All-SEC, Gatorade National Player of the Year winner in 2024, and more.

More importantly, she has a winner’s mentality. After dropping the game-winning performance against Penn State, she said:

“I just do what I need to do to win.”

It’s the years of practice and preparation that give her this confidence. Her father has played a major role in this journey. She revealed that her dad has taught her the importance of following her own shot.

“[My dad] always emphasizes me following my own shot,” Edwards said. “Nine times out of 10, I can usually tell where the ball is going when it leaves my hands. I knew exactly where the ball was going, I had to get there.”

With the basics so clear and currently working under one of the best coaching minds in all of basketball, there’s no limit to how far Edwards can go in her long basketball journey.