South Carolina Gamecocks will be shorthanded for their SEC opener after head coach Dawn Staley confirmed senior guard Ta’Niya Latson will not play against the undefeated Alabama Crimson Tide. Latson, South Carolina’s second-leading scorer, suffered an apparent ankle injury in the second quarter of the 96-55 win over Providence on December 28. Staley ruled her out, confirming she will miss the conference opener.
Dawn Staley Addresses Ta’Niya Latson’s Status Ahead of Alabama Clash
The South Carolina Gamecocks will open Southeastern Conference play without one of their key contributors. Head coach Dawn Staley confirmed on Dec. 31 that senior guard Ta’Niya Latson will not be available for the January 1 matchup against the unbeaten Alabama Crimson Tide at Colonial Life Arena.
Latson suffered a lower left leg injury late in the second quarter of South Carolina’s 96-55 win over Providence on Dec. 28. She appeared to slip while attacking the basket with just over four minutes left in the half and immediately grabbed her leg after falling.
Team staff assisted her off the floor, and she was unable to put weight on her injured foot as she headed to the locker room. Staley later explained that Latson received treatment during the second half, which kept her from returning to the bench.
Before exiting, Latson scored 10 points while converting 4 of 5 shots from the field. For the season, she is averaging 16.9 points per game, ranking second on the roster behind Joyce Edwards, who is posting 21.4 points per contest. Latson has also been a major factor in South Carolina’s offensive flow, shooting 51.9 percent overall and 41.7 percent from three-point range, both career highs.
When asked about Latson’s status beyond the Alabama game, Staley made clear the approach will be cautious. “Take it day by day,” she said when questioned about availability for the January 4 game at Florida. “I’m hoping, we’re praying. If not, we got to keep going.”
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Staley added after the Providence game that Latson’s demeanor remained positive despite the injury. “She’s happy, she’s smiling,” Staley said on Dec. 28. “She got treatment in the second half and just walked out. We’ll look at her tomorrow.”
Teammates echoed the next-rotation mindset. “Ta’Niya is going to be a big piece that we miss but it’s next man up,” starting point guard Raven Johnson said. “I think everyone on this team, when their jersey number is called, is going to be ready.”
The absence adds to a season marked by limited continuity. Staley has completed a game with all 10 available players only three times. The final nonconference contest was the first since Nov. 27 in which the entire roster suited up, before Latson went down.