Playing behind her is an honor’: USC commitment speaks about South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley

South Carolina women’s basketball commitment Agot Makeer is in New York this week for the McDonald’s All-American Game. She is one of two future Gamecocks who will compete on Tuesday night at Barclays Center, along with fellow blue chip prospect Ayla McDowell .

On Monday, Makeer and the other McDonald’s All-Americans had the chance to talk to the media ahead of Tuesday’s showcase.

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Partnered with her high school teammate (and future SEC rival at Texas) Aaliyah Crump, Makeer’s words dripped with enthusiasm as she talked about the opportunity to compete in the McDonald’s All-American Game, join the South Carolina program, and become a Dawn Staley student.

Said Makeer about Staley, “Playing behind her is an honor. She’s such a cool person…she’s doing such great things for women’s basketball. I’m so excited to represent her and South Carolina.”

Staley’s results on the court (both as a player and as a coach) speak for themselves. Makeer and everyone else in the world of women’s basketball are impressed by those accomplishments.

However, Staley also has impressed the 6-1 Canadian with her willingness to let players make an impact right away. Makeer said to the media in New York, “[Coach Staley] told me, ‘Come in ready.’” She added, “There is space for me to make an impact right away.” This year, true freshman Joyce Edwards earned first-team All-SEC honors despite coming off the bench for the Gamecocks. USC also will lose at least three starters to graduation in guard Te-Hina Paopao, wing Bree Hall, and post player Sania Feagin. Staley will count on some inexperienced faces to step up, maybe even a freshman like Makeer.