Joyce Edwards is killing them softly

Joyce Edwards and the South Carolina Gamecocks vs. the Charleston Southern Buccaneers on December 19, 2024. (Photos by Sean Rayford for Getty Images)

Joyce Edwards has a good song. This freshmen has style. It’s quiet, calculated and efficient — and it is killing opponents softly.

Coming off the bench this season for the Gamecocks, the Camden native now leads the defending national champions in scoring — despite five teammates playing more minutes this season. Edwards is also second on the team in rebounds, steals and field goal percentage.

Edwards shoots 80% from the free throw line and 54% in the field. (Dec. 19 vs. Charleston Southern)

For now, Edwards is the player that appears out of thin air — and drops an and-one in the paint. Her teammates explode in celebration and for #8 — it’s business as usual.

On a team of veterans and stars, and personalties — and with a balanced scoring attack, Edwards has fit spectacularly in the shadows. But this is no secret. I’m no sports writer and don’t even cover all of the Gamecocks home games.

But I did just got a special request for extra photos of Edwards — for client usage that expects a role in basketball at the next level.

Watch out NCAA and beyond. Joyce Edwards is an assassin.

{words by Sean Rayford]

Edwards, highly recruited across the nation, says that the University of South Carolina Honors College program gave the Gamecocks an upper hand. Her parents are engineers and she is interested in sustainability and a degree in environmental engineering. (Jan. 12 vs Texas)

Edwards was ranked as the #3 recruit in the 2024 class by ESPNW. (Dec. 19 vs. Charleston Southern)

Joyce Edwards: Gatorade National Player of the Year (2024), Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year (2024), McDonald’s All-America (2024), 2x USA Today Athlete of the Year (2023, 2024), 2x MaxPreps Female Athlete of the Year (2023, 2024), USA Today Girls Basketball Player of the Year (2024), 4x SCBCA 3A State Player of the Year (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) - (Dec. 19 vs. Charleston Southern)

Joyce Edwards: South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association 3A Player of the Year four times – 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 - (Dec. 5 vs. Duke)

Ashlyn Watkins #2, who was leading the team in blocks, recently suffered a season ending injury and we can expect a bigger role for everyone on the team - especially Edwards. (Dec. 19 vs. Charleston Southern)

Edwards joined the Camden varsity team in seventh grade and earned all-state honors five times. (Jan. 9 vs Texas A&M)

Edwards also played soccer and volleyball at Camden where she led her team to back-to-back state championships. (Jan. 12 vs Texas)