South Carolina forward Ashlyn Watkins announced on social media Friday that she will not play in the upcoming season -- what would have been her senior season -- but plans to return in 2026-27.

South Carolina's Ashlyn Watkins says she is taking time off from basketball and hopes to return for the 2026-27 season.

South Carolina women’s basketball forward Ashlyn Watkins is taking a year off from basketball and won’t play this season, she announced on social media Friday. In her statement she said she will “come back even stronger” in the 2026-27 season.