This Tuesday, South Carolina women’s basketball sophomore Joyce Edwards was named SEC Player of the Week. In just her second season, Edwards has earned a weekly honor for the fifth time. But this is her first SEC Player of the Week award. The real story, however, isn’t the result. It all came down to what coach Dawn Staley did. So, what role did Staley play in Edwards winning the award?

Well, Staley challenged the Forward. When Joyce Edwards returned for her sophomore year, Dawn Staley pushed her to become more of a two-way player. And through the first four games, Edwards has done exactly that. For the Sophomore, it was all about focusing on her goals.

Joyce Edwards went on to talk about how her coach challenged her to acheive greatness. “ I feel like she’s just challenging me in a way, so I can be a better overall player. But especially my defense. I’ve been really focusing on staying in a stance, staying low, just being disciplined overall.” Now, Edwards leads the No. 2 Gamecocks in scoring with 18 points per game. She’s averaging 6.8 rebounds, second only to Madina Okot. Defensively, she’s a force in the paint. 

And not just that. She’s even recorded a career-high three blocks in the win over Southern Cal and currently leads the team in blocks. Her 2.3 blocks per game is exactly double of last year’s average. So, clearly, she has met the challenge, and even Staley admits it.

“It’s great… Joyce is finding her footing and she’s very comfortable with what she’s doing out there on both sides of the ball. I just like her activity on both sides of the ball. I like her competitiveness and her will to win. It’s on display every time we step on the floor.” Staley said after hearing about Edwards’ SEC honor.

Well, her improvement hasn’t just elevated her own game – it’s lifted the entire team. During SC’s 28-point win over Clemson, she had set the tone early. She scored six of the team’s first 11 points. She even ended the first half with 14 points on 6-for-10 shooting and tied her career high with three blocks.

Even against No. 8 USC, one of the toughest opponents, Edwards led the charge. She finished the game with her first double-double of the season. She scored 17 points and had 10 rebounds. Four games in, and it looks like Edwards is already on top.

She leads South Carolina in scoring, ranks sixth in the SEC, sits fourth in blocks per game, and holds the 11th-best field goal percentage in the league at .554. Her 3.0 offensive rebounds per game rank 13th in the SEC. The statistics are enough proof that the player is growing, and the coach is benefiting. But is this the first time it’s happened?

Joyce Edwards was not the only one to benefit under Staley’s tutelage 

Staley has exceptional basketball IQ and is a master at breaking down the fundamentals of the game. But what truly sets her apart is her ability to build meaningful relationships with her players. Trust indeed fuels growth.

As former Gamecock Zia Cooke once said, “She builds relationships with her kids, and that was really, really important for me. Because I needed her,” she said. Staley went on to share that Cooke always stood by her side and was the support she wanted whenever the going got tough. “She checks all the boxes of being a good coach. X’s and O’s are very important. I think she does a good job with it, but I also like the relationships that she builds with people,” she concluded.

And that sentiment is shared by most players who have come through Staley’s program since she took over in 2008. Over the years, she has helped produce multiple stars – reigning WNBA Finals MVP A’ja Wilson, 2023 Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston, Tiffany Mitchell, Allisha Gray, Laeticia Amihere, and many more. As Staley once said, “We produce pros. The very best in the league. And if that’s not proof in the pudding, then this isn’t the place for you.” And this year, it looks like more future pros are on the rise – with Edwards being one of them. But her challenge isn’t over yet.

She now has to help drive the roster without Chloe Kitts, who is out for the season due to injury. Edwards and the Gamecocks return to Colonial Life Arena for two games this week, starting Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. against Winthrop on the SEC Network. But can Edwards keep the momentum going? We’ll get an answer soon.