Veteran South Carolina Gamecocks guard Maddy McDaniel decided on Thursday to step away from the team, citing mental health reasons.

“I have decided to step away from the team to focus on my mental and emotional well-being, to get back to my best self on all levels,” she said in a statement posted to social media.

McDaniel was supposed to be the heir apparent to Raven Johnson as the starting point guard in the 2026/27 season for head coach Dawn Staley.

“It is the strongest thing I can think of to do because of what being part of Gamecock Women’s Basketball means to me. I appreciate everyone who has supported me, and I will be working hard to get back to being the person who has earned that.”

While McDaniel did not address it, it can be assumed that she will work her way back and rejoin the roster at some point later in the season.

South Carolina holds team workouts during the summer and won’t typically start official preseason practices until late September.

Last season, McDaniel became a rotation player after almost exclusively coming off the bench. She played in 33 games, averaging 4.3 points per game.

McDaniel, affectionately known as “Maddy Mouse,” was often the leader of the second unit, and Staley praised her growth and ability to boost a bench unit for a team marred by depth issues throughout the year.

Dawn Staley Gives Her Thoughts on Maddy's Decision

While Staley will have guards Tessa Johnson, Ayla McDowell, Jordan Lee, Agot Makeer, Justine Loubens, and Jerzy Robinson to work with, the absence of Maddy will also be felt by her.

“If we see anyone in our program going through something, we give them the space and the grace to work through it,” Staley said in a release.

“When they embrace that it may take more than that, we embrace that too. Maddy’s decision is a difficult one for a young person to make, and I’m glad she felt our program was a safe place for her to make it."

The main women to replace Maddy's point guard duties will likely be Makeer or Robinson, but with Staley's expertise and evergreen experience, any of the guards on the roster could find a way to bring the ball up the court if needed.

So, who do you think will take up Maddy McDaniel's place in the Gamecocks? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Joy Bassy