COLUMBIA, S.C.– No. 1 South Carolina needed to do without leading scorer and rebounder Kamilla Cardoso for much of the very first half versus Mississippi on Sunday.
The Gamecocks will miss her for the next couple of video games.
Coach Dawn Staley stated Cardoso is delegating sign up with the Brazilian nationwide group for its Olympic certifying occasion today and will miss out on the Gamecocks’ next 2 video games in the house, versus Missouri on Thursday night and No. 11 UConn on Feb. 11.
” We desire the very best gamers on our group,” Staley stated. “However in some cases the very best gamers are the very best gamers that represent another nation. When we hired her, we stated if there’s a chance to choose your nationwide group, choose your nationwide group.”
Brazil is hosting among the four-team competitions that act as Olympic qualifiers. The Brazilians have a hard swimming pool with Germany, Serbia and Australia in the group. The leading 3 groups get approved for the Paris Games this summer season.
” It just makes us feel excellent,” stated Staley, who was the U.S. Olympic coach for the Tokyo Games in 2021.
Cardoso, at 6-foot-7, has actually been the very best gamer on the Gamecocks and a leading prospect for Southeastern Conference Gamer of the Year, balancing 13.7 points and 10 rebounds this season.
Her worth appeared in an 85-56 win over Ole Miss on Sunday. Cardoso got 2 fast fouls and needed to sit much of the very first 2 quarters as the Rebels got within 32-31 right before halftime.
When Cardoso went back to the court, she sustained a 16-2 run as South Carolina (21-0, 9-0 SEC) took control.
Staley stated Cardoso will be missed out on. However her time on the bench in the very first half provided South Carolina forwards such as Ashlyn Watkins, Chloe Kitts and Sania Feagin more required minutes as they prepare to offset Cardoso’s points, rebounds and blocks.
” Nobody has a rim protector like her,” Mississippi coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin stated.
South Carolina will discover that out for itself over the next 2 video games.