In Colorado Springs, C.O., South Carolina Athletics reports that Joyce Edwards, an incoming freshman at South Carolina, has been chosen as one of the 12 athletes for the 2024 USA Basketball Women’s U18 National Team, as announced by the organization today. This team will compete on behalf of the U.S. in the 2024 FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup, set to take place from June 17-23 in Bucaramanga, Colombia.
Edwards, who previously represented USA Basketball in the 2023 U19 World Cup, where she was honored with a place on the All-Star Five, is now making her second international appearance. In the 2023 tournament, she contributed significantly to the U.S. team’s gold medal win, averaging 12.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. Notably, she joins a distinguished list of 14 Gamecock players, coached by Dawn Staley, who have been selected to represent USA Basketball during or after their tenure at South Carolina. Among these players are Edwards’ current teammates Sania Feagin, Chloe Kitts, and Raven Johnson.
Edwards, who was honored as the 2024 Gatorade National Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year, concluded her high school career with an exceptional senior season. Averaging 31.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 4.5 steals, 4.0 assists, and 3.3 blocks, the 6-foot-2 forward played a pivotal role in leading Camden to the Class AAA State Championship. She was also ranked as the No. 2 recruit in the Class of 2024. Edwards received further recognition as a McDonald’s All-American and was bestowed the title of the 2024 Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year by the organization. Additionally, she earned a position on the Naismith All-America First Team.
The 2024 FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup will include eight teams. FIBA has revealed that the U.S. team has been placed in Group B and will commence their campaign on June 17 against Brazil at 4:10 p.m. ET. Following this, they will face Puerto Rico and Mexico on June 18 (4:10 p.m. ET) and June 19 (1:40 p.m. ET), respectively.
The USA women’s team has an impressive record, having won 11 out of 13 U18 gold medals, with a streak of 10 consecutive wins dating back to 2000. Additionally, the top four teams in the 2024 FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup will secure a spot in the 2025 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup.
For the latest updates on South Carolina women’s basketball, be sure to regularly visit GamecocksOnline.com and follow the team’s social media accounts (@GamecockWBB).
2024 USA Basketball Women’s U19 National Team
Sienne Betts – F – Centennial, CO
Jasmine Davidson – F – Clackamas, OR
Joyce Edwards – F – Camden, SC
Madison Francis – F – Lancaster, NY
Kayleigh Heckel – G – Port Chester, NY
Zakiyah Johnson – G – Shelbyville, KY
Jordan Lee – G – Stockton, CA
Leah Macy – F – Elizabethtown, KY
Alivia McGill – G – Plymouth, MN
Arianna Roberson – C – San Antonio, TX
Kennedy Smith – F – Rialto, CA
Sarah Strong – F – Cary, NC