South Carolina women's basketball guard Maddy McDaniel announced on Thursday that she is stepping away from the program for mental health reasons. In her heartfelt social media message, she emphasized the importance of mental strength, stating, "Every athlete knows that mental strength is as valuable as their physical strength."

McDaniel explained her decision, saying, "I've tried to just keep going, but right now I'm not giving my coaches, my teammates and the FAMS the best version of myself that they deserve. So I've decided to step away from the team to focus on my mental and emotional well-being."

This decision is particularly significant for the Gamecocks, as McDaniel was the only true point guard on the roster. Her absence raises concerns for the team's plans, especially with the upcoming season where she was expected to take on a larger role following the departure of star point guard Raven Johnson to the WNBA.

Last season, McDaniel averaged 4.3 points and 2.7 assists per game in 19.7 minutes off the bench. While the team has added talented players like Jordan Lee, a former Texas guard, they currently have only six guards on the roster, making McDaniel's role even more crucial.

Coach Dawn Staley expressed her full support for McDaniel, stating, "If we see anyone in our program going through something, we give them the space and the race to work through it. Maddy's decision is a difficult one for a young person to make, and I'm glad she felt our program was a safe place for her to make it."

This situation echoes a similar decision made by Ashlyn Watkins, a forward for the Gamecocks, who took a leave of absence last year to focus on her mental health. The team is set to tip off their season on November 2 with an overseas matchup against Maryland in Paris, France.