Meet South Carolina’s Ashlyn Watkins: The Dunking Machine Since 8th Grade

The South Carolina Gamecocks’ sophomore Ashlyn Watkins has grabbed all eyeballs for her supporting role. Though she is not the alpha, Watkins plays the role of the third and fourth player to perfection. In a star-studded lineup that is riding high on their freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley, Watkins becomes the connector that helps her team execute their plans.

But not many know, that Watkins became Gamecock’s first woman player to dunk in a match. She had previously joined the likes of WNBA legend Lisa Leslie during her school days.

A look at Watkins and her family

Watkins attended the Cardinal Newman High School and proved her balling skills from a young age. The 2022 Gatorade Player of the Year won the McDonald’s Dunk contest that brought her to the fore. Furthermore, she also emerged victorious in 2022 during the JamFest dunk contest.

Thus at an early age, Watkins showed the world what she was capable of and had a special affinity for dunking. During the 2022-23 NCAA season, she made her debut for the South Carolina Gamecocks and smashed the Gamecocks’ women’s basketball first dunk when playing against the Clemson. 

Watkins has received unconditional love through her mother, Harriet Watkins. She has two more sisters namely – Alexi and Autumn. And Harriet is not alone. Her daughters also give her care and respect forming a perfect family. As per WACH FOX, Harriet shared how they feel a sense of accountability for each other and are together through thick and thin. “We kind of help each other. It’s God’s favor and I just feel like this is something she’s supposed to be doing, and something I’m supposed to be doing,” Harriet remarked.

The striking part about Ashlyn since her school is her cool and collected nature. Even when a kid, Ashyln never used to panic and that made her an apt player for clutch moments. Harriet had also divulged how both of them don’t enjoy much attention, rather sharing a “very humble” nature. Additionally, Harriet also showered praises on her daughter for her “bravery” since “she goes out of her way.” Ashyln is unafraid to try new things that “puts her out of her comfort zone.” 

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And as is the norm for a bright player, basketball fans had got a sneak peak of her life, ever since she was a child.

A first of many

Ashlyn once again caught the nation’s fancy in 2015 when she spell-bounded everyone with her prodigal basketball talent. The fifth-grade student performed an exceptional dunk on a 9-foot rim during an All-Star team display. This caught the country’s frenzy with her antic being shared widely on social media and also featuring in the ESPN’s ‘SportsCenter’.

Talking about the viral experience, Ashlyn admitted that she “felt exciting” as per The Island Packet. She stated that she had been trying to dunk for long and when she finally achieved it, it caught all eyeballs for the right reason. The then 11-year-old went ahead and expressed that she was “excited” for the “attention” she has received.

Her father Vancito too shared how proud he was of his daughter’s feat. “This was her first dunk in a game, and it’s amazing just to see her be able to do it,” Vancito had mentioned back then. With this accomplishment, the whole nation knew that the Columbia-native was a star in the making since she joined the ranks of WNBA legend Lisa Leslie and NCAA star Georgeann Wells who were the first to dunk in their respective leagues.

Her valued upbringing and basketball skills made sure she had a lot of coaches vying for her. And the South Carolina was not the only college that wanted her on the roster.

Ashlyn decides to commit

The center baller decided to commit to the Gamecocks in November 2021. The North Carolina were also in a bid to attract Watkins who decided to stay near her home. She made the announcement in her high school among family and friends. Other than the two colleges, her prospective institutions also included the Kentucky and the Mississippi State. She later clarified that she had narrowed her list down to two and wanted to go with either the North or the South Carolina. The 2022 McDonald’s All-American pronounced her inclination to the Gamecocks’ head coach Dawn Staley.

Watkins chose the Gamecocks for two reasons. Firstly, Staley could mentor Watkins “to get me places that I needed to be.” Maybe Watkins meant the WNBA when she said this. Furthermore, she also stated that she wanted to be “playing at home.” Her mother Harriet expressed her excitement and explained that it was a well-thought-out decision.

They did have a discussion in their family to help Ashlyn choose the right college for her. Harriet pointed out that they “were looking at pros and cons in addition to your goals.” Her mother also became emotional while she recollected that her daughter had been playing the game since second grade.

Although the numbers during her freshman year at the Gamecocks do not justify her talent, Watkins played 32 games with 4.9 points per game. She dropped a season-high 16 points against the Coastal Carolina and replicated her brilliant performance against the Missouri Tigers and the Florida Gators. 

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During the current NCAA season, she has shown her passion for the game smashing three double-doubles against the Maryland, the Clemson and the Presbyterian. Her outstanding defensive skills have complimented her offensive tactics. And if she continues her on-song performance, then Watkins will definitely emerge as one of the most noteworthy players for her team.