Ashlyn SWatkins
While Ashlyn Watkins’ athleticism has never been in question – she became the first Gamecock to dunk in a game last season at Clemson and the first to do it at Colonial Life Arena this season against Kentucky – the sophomore has brought all sides of her game together to earned a spot on the All-SEC Second Team this season.
Watkins’ season averages include 9.4 points and 7.4 rebounds, which rank 12th in the SEC. Defensively, the sophomore forward is 18th in the nation with 2.4 blocks per game, and her 90 blocks this year are third in program history, matching Aliyah Boston (2021-22) and A’ja Wilson (2016-17). According to Her Hoop Stats, she is second in the nation (among players averaging at least 15 minutes played) in player defensive rating (67.2).
In SEC action, Watkins was ninth in rebounding at 7.5 per game and third in blocks per league game at 2.1.
Watkins has eight double-doubles and at least three blocks in 17 games, including a career-high six blocks against Presbyterian (Dec. 16) and at Florida (Jan. 4).
Her poise late at #24/24 North Carolina (Nov. 30) helped deliver the win with her six fourth-quarter points capped by a pair of free throws with 14 seconds left.
Watkins made her first career start at Auburn (Feb. 1) and truly illustrated how far she has come, turning in 14 points, 15 rebounds, five blocks and three steals in 31 minutes of action, including six rebounds and two steals in the first quarter as the Gamecock offense struggled.
Against #11/9 UConn (Feb. 11), Watkins stuffed the stat sheet with 15 points, nine rebounds, three blocks, three assists and two steals.
In the NCAA Tournament, she is the Gamecocks’ top rebounder at 9.8 boards per game to go with 7.6 points and 2.6 blocks per game.