Maddy McDaniel, a junior point guard for the South Carolina Gamecocks, revealed that she will not return to the program after an indefinite leave of absence was made permanent.
A decision rooted in well‑being
In a statement released on Tuesday, McDaniel said that prioritizing her mental and emotional health was essential, and that stepping away was the right move for her personal well‑being.
Head coach Dawn Staley responded with a public endorsement, emphasizing that McDaniel’s contributions had been vital to the team’s recent successes and that the program fully respects her decision.
With McDaniel’s departure, senior Tessa Johnson is expected to take over the point guard responsibilities, a transition that could reshape the team’s offensive dynamics.
McDaniel had been slated to be the presumptive starter after two years of development under Raven Johnson, but her career statistics of 3.7 points, 2.2 assists and 0.5 turnovers per game reflect a modest but steady impact.
The timing of her exit coincides with the start of fall classes on August 18, a deadline that would have required her to be enrolled to practice, leaving the roster with an open scholarship spot.