South Carolina's top-ranked women's basketball team will be facing some challenges in their upcoming games as they will be without their star player Kamilla Cardoso. The Brazilian center will be leaving the team temporarily to join the Brazilian national team for an Olympic qualifying event.
Coach Dawn Staley confirmed that Cardoso will be absent for the Gamecocks' next two games, which are against Missouri on Thursday night and No. 11 UConn on February 11. Although her absence will certainly be felt, Staley understands the importance of representing one's country and fully supports Cardoso's decision.
When Cardoso joined the Gamecocks, Staley made it clear that if there was an opportunity for her to play for her national team, she should seize it. Now that Brazil is hosting one of the four-team tournaments that serve as Olympic qualifiers, Cardoso has a chance to help her team secure a spot in the much-anticipated Paris Games this summer.
Staley expressed her satisfaction with Cardoso's commitment to her national team, as she herself served as the U.S. Olympic coach for the Tokyo Games in 2021. The Gamecocks' head coach understands the significance of representing one's country on the international stage.
The absence of Cardoso will undoubtedly impact South Carolina's performance on the court. Standing at an impressive 6-foot-7, the Brazilian center has been the team's leading scorer and rebounder this season, making her a strong candidate for the Southeastern Conference player of the year. Cardoso has been averaging 13.7 points and 10 rebounds per game, showcasing her dominant presence on both ends of the court.
In their recent game against Mississippi, the Gamecocks experienced firsthand the impact of Cardoso's absence. She found herself in early foul trouble, causing her to spend a significant portion of the first half on the bench. During this time, Mississippi was able to make a comeback and bring the score to a close 32-31 right before halftime. However, when Cardoso returned to the court, she ignited a 16-2 run that helped South Carolina regain control and secure an 85-56 victory.
The loss of Cardoso's rim protection and scoring prowess will undoubtedly pose a challenge for the Gamecocks over the next two games. However, this absence presents an opportunity for other forwards on the team to step up and showcase their skills. Players like Ashlyn Watkins, Chloe Kitts, and Sania Feagin will need to fill the gap left by Cardoso, contributing in terms of points, rebounds, and blocks.
Opposing coaches are well aware of the impact that Cardoso's absence will have on South Carolina. Mississippi coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin acknowledged that no other team possesses a rim protector like Cardoso, highlighting her value to the Gamecocks.
As South Carolina faces Missouri and UConn in their next two games, they will need to find a way to compensate for Cardoso's absence. The coaching staff, along with the other players, will need to devise strategies to overcome this temporary setback and maintain their unbeaten record.
While Cardoso's absence may present challenges, it also serves as an opportunity for the Gamecocks to further develop their team depth and showcase the talent and resilience of their roster. As the next two games unfold, South Carolina fans will eagerly watch to see how their team rises to the occasion and continues their dominant season.
