Ashlyn Watkins not with South Carolina women’s basketball for White House ceremony
Watch: Ashlyn Watkins discusses South Carolina’s win over Presbyterian
Watch: South Carolina sophomore forward Ashlyn Watkins talks about how the Gamecocks adapted without Kamilla Cardoso in NCAA Tournament win.
WASHINGTON — South Carolina women’s basketball is at the White House on Tuesday, but Ashlyn Watkins was not in attendance.
The Gamecocks were invited to celebrate their 2024 national championship with a ceremony led by President Biden.
Watkins was arrested on charges of first-degree assault and battery and kidnapping on Aug. 31. A spokesperson for the women’s basketball team confirmed to The Greenville News last week that Watkins’ suspension from team activities remains in place.
Watkins, 20, is scheduled to make a court appearance on Oct. 25. South Carolina’s season opener is on Nov. 4 against Michigan at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Watkins, a junior forward, had a breakout season in 2023, starting nine games and averaging 9.2 points and 7.4 rebounds. She was a key part of the 2024 national championship win, and in the Final Four game against NC State on April 5, she had a career high 20 rebounds.
MORE DETAILS: Police report details South Carolina basketball player Ashlyn Watkins’ arrest
The Gamecocks only lost one player from their championship season. Kamilla Cardoso, the starting center, was drafted by the Chicago Sky in April, and is wrapping up her rookie season in the WNBA, and was not at Tuesday’s celebration. The Sky have a game on Wednesday against the Washington Mystics in Chicago.
Senior forward Sania Feagin is not at the ceremony because she’s at the 2024 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup in Mongolia.
As for new players, freshmen Maddy McDaniels and Joyce Edwards along with transfer Maryam Dauda traveled with the team, according to posts on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin
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