Maddy McDaniel’s steady hand at point guard made her South Carolina’s most efficient organizer before she stepped away
Maddy McDaniel was a valuable floor general for South Carolina in the 2025-26 season, leading the SEC in league play with a 3.2 assist-to-turnover ratio and averaging 2.7 assists per game while giving the Gamecocks poise, pace and defensive edge off the bench. She helped power a roster hit by injuries, and reporters repeatedly described her as a crucial distributor and a disruptive on-ball presence. The big wrinkle: she stepped away from the program in July 2026 to focus on her mental and emotional well-being, and South Carolina later confirmed she will not return.
