South Carolina women’s basketball guard Maddy McDaniel has been suspended for undisclosed reasons, and head coach Dawn Staley says McDaniel’s return to the team will depend entirely on her.
Staley confirmed that McDaniel, who missed the Gamecocks’ 65–37 win over Clemson on Nov. 11, is unlikely to play in their next matchup against Southern Cal on Nov. 15.
When asked whether McDaniel could return this season, Staley replied, “That’s on her. On her, evaluate it every day.” The coach declined to provide further details about the suspension.
The school announced McDaniel’s suspension an hour before tipoff against Clemson, posting on X: “Maddy McDaniel will not be at tonight’s game. She has been suspended.”
McDaniel, a 5-foot-9 sophomore guard from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was injured in the season opener against Grand Canyon on Nov. 3 after a knee-to-knee collision. She appeared on the bench wearing a brace during the Nov. 7 game against Bowling Green but did not play.
Staley previously said McDaniel was “rehabbing” and “probably” wouldn’t appear against Clemson. Now, her future with the team remains uncertain.
The suspension further depletes South Carolina’s depth, leaving the Gamecocks with only nine available players. McDaniel has missed two of the team’s first three games.
Junior guard Tessa Johnson admitted fatigue played a role in the team’s offensive struggles against Clemson, saying, “It’s part mental, a lot mental, so just getting over that jump.”
As a freshman, McDaniel averaged 3.1 points and 11 minutes per game off the bench. Before her injury this season, she logged eight points and two assists in eight minutes against Grand Canyon.
Staley has not disclosed the reason for McDaniel’s suspension, leaving her status moving forward uncertain.
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