Agot Makeer was South Carolina's NCAA Tournament star, but she wants to 'bring more' (original) (raw)

June 8, 2026, 5:05 a.m. ET

Some of Agot Makeer's tears were already dry and some were still on the horizon after South Carolina women's basketball lost 79-51 to UCLA in the national championship.

It was the second straight season coach Dawn Staley's team watched another hoist the hardware, but for Makeer, it was just her first.

"I hope I can bring more to the table because obviously what I brought is not enough," Makeer said after the game. "Get better in the offseason, get healthy in the offseason and keep it going."

The pain of the defeat stung, but if it wasn't for the 6-foot-1 freshman guard, there's a chance the Gamecocks wouldn't have gotten to the Final Four at all.

Agot Makeer's freshman March Madness run

Makeer averaged 14 points (second-most on team), 2.3 assists and 2.2 steals in her first NCAA tournament. She shot 55% from the floor and 46.2% from the 3-point line.

Madina Okot, a 6-foot-6 center, shot just 0.8% better than Makeer did from the floor.

Makeer had a career-high 18 points with four rebounds, three assists and three steals in the Elite Eight win over TCU.

She followed it up with a crucial 14 point-night in the Final Four win over UConn. She was 2-of-2 from the 3-point line, including a first-quarter buzzer beater to tie the game and an even bigger make with six minutes left in the game to stretch South Carolina's lead from four to seven.

In the title game, she checked in during the first quarter and hit another timely 3-pointer to make it 13-10 and finished with 11 points.

Agot Makeer injury history

Sometime between Nov. 27 and Dec. 3, Makeer sustained a concussion and missed five games, returning for the final non-conference game on Dec. 28. When she returned, starting guard Ta'Niya Latson sprained her ankle, so Makeer started the next three games.

Makeer started again on Jan. 25 and 29 but got hurt early in the first quarter and missed the next three games with what Staley said was a "lower leg injury," returning Feb. 14.

While it's a large factor, Makeer and Staley said finally being injury-free didn't tell the full story of why she thrived late in the season.

"I feel like my mindset changed, starting in the SEC Tournament I just started approaching games differently," Makeer said. "I feel like it wasn't just one-dimensional thinking. I just wanted to go and do whatever I can to get the team to win."

In 32 games, Makeer averaged 19.3 minutes, 7.2 points, 3.3 rebounds with 1.3 assists and 1.1 steals. Joyce Edwards averaged 21.4 minutes as a freshman in 2024-25 but otherwise, Makeer's minutes are the most for a first-year player under Staley since Brea Beal's 21.2 in 2019-20.

"For our program, you've got to show and prove to us and actually do the things that we need you to do in practice," Staley said. "Because we know that if you do, it's a no-brainer, it's going to happen in the game. Agot, she was in and out with injuries, then she got pushed up to knowing that she was going to play. I do think she's a different player when she knows she's going to play. So I think it's that."

Makeer had already shown glimpses, but it all came together for six straight NCAA Tournament games.

"We just really challenged her to go out there and be who she is," Staley said. "I mean, she's had a tremendous postseason. And her future is bright."

What's next for Agot Makeer in 2026-27 season?

South Carolina point guard Raven Johnson said Makeer's IQ is "above and beyond" and she's never seen a freshman who knows basketball like Makeer.

With such a loaded lineup, Staley can only be as creative and as flexible as her players are willing to play. Makeer is a prime example of a fast guard who is a spot-up shooter but also crafty inside the paint.

A healthy Makeer has a strong case to start in the 2026-27 season. Latson is gone to the WNBA, but Texas transfer Jordan Lee has one year of experience over Makeer. Staley can't go wrong starting either, but even if the nod goes to Lee, Makeer's impact doesn't lessen.

The danger of having two possible starting lineups is capitalizing on speed and transition basketball, what Staley's teams do best. Makeer would be a grueling punch to opponents off the bench, especially if South Carolina's first five already cause fatigue.

Makeer grew a lot under the spotlight and the next step is displaying that growth for the entire season.

Makeer's offensive production is as valuable as her passing and defense. So if she has mastered that mindset of providing regardless of the situation, she's one of the Gamecocks' biggest weapons.

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network.