Kamilla Cardoso is an exceptional basketball player. The 6-foot-7 center for South Carolina was recently named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the Lisa Leslie Award. She is one of just six players in the country this season averaging at least 12 points, nine rebounds and 2.5 blocks per-game.
Cardoso is a big reason why South Carolina just completed its second straight undefeated season and will be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. Her defense is incredible, her rebounding is outstanding, her scoring inside is great.
But Cardoso does not hit 3-pointers.
Like, ever.
In 118 collegiate games between her time at Syracuse and South Carolina, Cardoso had attempted just one 3-pointer. Just one. Ever. And she missed it.
But on Saturday in Greenville, South Carolina, in the semifinals on the SEC Tournament, Cardoso was forced to take another one.
The Gamecocks’ undefeated season was on the line. They trailed Tennessee by two points and just 1.1 seconds remained. South Carolina only had time for one shot.
Just on the other side of the halfcourt line, Raven Johnson would be throwing the pass inbounds. Tennessee sagged off her and focused on South Carolina’s shooters. And that Cardoso was drifting toward the perimeter did not seem to both the Volunteers.
Johnson – with the motion a quarterback would use to toss a football – threw the ball to Cardoso, who caught it safely, set her feet just outside the 3-point arc and fired.
The ball kissed the top of the square on the glass, hit the front of the rim and fell through the hoop.
South Carolina 74, Tennessee 71.
Cardoso’s first-ever 3-point shot – made in front of her family from Brazil – kept the Gamecocks’ undefeated streak alive and put them in the SEC Tournament final.
FINAL: KAMILLA CARDOSO THREE AT THE BUZZER TO WIN IT!!!
SOUTH CAROLINA ADVANCES TO THE SEC CHAMPIONSHIP@GamecockWBB | @wachfox pic.twitter.com/lI9ptaRaNk
— Matt Vereen (@MattVereen) March 9, 2024
KAMILLA. FREAKING. CARDOSO!!! pic.twitter.com/KxV40Osnhe
— South Carolina Women's Basketball (@GamecockWBB) March 9, 2024
