South Carolina’s Joyce Edwards Earns USA Basketball Call-Up, Will Represent Team USA at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup in Santiago — A Rising Star Prepares to Shine Bright on International Soil This Summer

🌎 From Carolina to the World Stage: South Carolina’s Joyce Edwards Earns USA Basketball Call-Up, Will Represent Team USA at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup in Santiago — A Rising Star Prepares to Shine Bright on International Soil This Summer 🇺🇸🏀

 

Columbia, South Carolina — June 23, 2025

 

Joyce Edwards is about to go global. The standout freshman forward from the University of South Carolina has officially been named to the USA Basketball Women’s National Team roster for the upcoming 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, set to take place from June 28 to July 6 in Santiago, Chile. The announcement has electrified Gamecock fans and sparked waves of praise across the women’s basketball landscape.

 

After a sensational freshman season under the guidance of legendary coach Dawn Staley, Edwards’ invitation to represent the red, white, and blue on the international stage confirms what many already knew: she’s not just a rising college star—she’s a global talent on the rise.

 

 

—

 

🌟 A Star in the Making: Edwards’ Path to the AmeriCup Roster

 

Joyce Edwards, a native of Camden, South Carolina, entered her freshman year with high expectations—and she didn’t disappoint. Averaging 14.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game, Edwards quickly became one of the most consistent and versatile players on a stacked South Carolina roster. Her combination of size, speed, and skill made her an immediate matchup nightmare for opponents, earning her SEC Freshman of the Year honors and a spot on the All-SEC Second Team.

 

Now, she’ll carry that momentum to Santiago, where she’ll compete with and against some of the top international players in the Western Hemisphere. Her selection to the USA Women’s AmeriCup team puts her in the same elite category as past greats like Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, and Kelsey Plum—who all made their international debuts in similar tournaments before ascending to WNBA and Olympic greatness.

 

 

—

 

🇺🇸 USA Basketball’s Confidence in the Freshman Phenom

 

USA Basketball officials cited Edwards’ defensive versatility, rebounding tenacity, and expanding offensive toolkit as major reasons for her selection. With veteran players like Rhyne Howard and Caitlin Clark unavailable due to WNBA obligations, the coaching staff turned to young collegiate talent to step up—and Edwards’ name was high on that list.

 

> “Joyce is the kind of player who fits our USA Basketball DNA—unselfish, relentless, and skilled on both ends of the court,” said USA head coach Cheryl Reeve. “We’re thrilled to have her on board and know she’s going to represent the U.S. with pride and passion.”

 

 

 

 

—

 

🏀 What Is the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup?

 

The FIBA Women’s AmeriCup is the premier women’s basketball competition for national teams across the Americas, featuring top programs from North, Central, and South America. The tournament is a major stepping stone on the path to the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

 

Team USA has historically dominated the event, winning gold in 2021 and 2023. With a mix of fresh NCAA stars and seasoned veterans, the 2025 squad is expected to make another strong run—but the pressure will be on. Powerhouse teams like Brazil, Canada, and Puerto Rico have been closing the gap in recent years.

 

 

—

 

🌍 Gamecocks Representing on the Global Stage—Again

 

Dawn Staley’s influence reaches far beyond Columbia. As a former USA Basketball coach and Olympic gold medalist herself, Staley has cultivated a program that consistently develops players ready for the biggest stages. From A’ja Wilson to Aliyah Boston, and now Joyce Edwards, South Carolina continues to supply talent to Team USA.

 

In fact, Edwards is the fifth Gamecock in the last 10 years to earn an AmeriCup roster spot—a testament to the program’s staying power and commitment to excellence.

 

 

—

 

🗣️ Social Media Buzzes with Pride and Praise

 

As soon as the announcement went live, social media lit up with excitement:

 

“Let’s go, @joyceedwards_8! Can’t wait to see you DOMINATE in Santiago!” — @GamecocksHoops

 

“From Camden to Columbia to Chile 🇨🇱… Edwards is on a mission!” — ESPNW

 

“Joyce is going to be the next face of USA Basketball. This is just the beginning.” — Analyst LaChina Robinson

 

 

 

—

 

🔮 What This Means for Edwards and Her Future

 

For Edwards, the AmeriCup offers more than just the chance to wear USA across her chest. It’s also a proving ground—an opportunity to sharpen her skills, adapt to the international pace, and establish herself as a future leader of the national team. It’s also a powerful resume builder as she eyes future Olympic rosters and a professional career in the WNBA.

 

> “This is a dream come true,” Edwards said in a statement. “I’m beyond grateful to represent my country and can’t wait to compete with my teammates in Santiago. This is just the beginning.”

 

 

 

 

—

 

💥 Final Thoughts: From Hype to History in the Making

 

Joyce Edwards’ rise from South Carolina high school phenom to Gamecock star to international competitor has been nothing short of thrilling. Now, as she prepares to represent Team USA at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, the world will get a chance to see what Gamecock Nation already knows:

 

She’s the real deal.

 

And if Santiago is a preview of what’s to come, Joyce Edwards may not just be a name to watch—she might be the future of women’s basketball itself.