This was going to be an important season for the rising junior as she was going to step into a bigger role now that star point guard Raven Johnson moved on to the WNBA. McDaniel, a 5-foot-9 guard, averaged 4.3 points and 2.7 assists per game last season in 19.7 minutes off the bench. 

The team did add some talented players in the offseason, including former Texas guard Jordan Lee via the transfer portal. But out of the 15 players on the South Carolina roster, only six are guards and, as previously stated, only McDaniel is a true point guard. 

Her absence will certainly disrupt the Gamecocks’ plan, but coach Dawn Staley gave McDaniel her full support to do whatever she needs to in order to get better. 

“If we see anyone in our program going through something, we give them the space and the race to work through it,” Staley stated in a statement. “When they embrace that it may take more than that, we embrace that too. Maddy’s decision is a difficult one for a young person to make, and I’m glad she felt our program was a safe place for her to make it.”

This comes a year after Gamecocks forward Ashlyn Watkins also decided to take a leave of absence to focus on herself. After sitting out the entire 2025-26 season, Watkins rejoined the team for summer workouts and is set to return for her senior season.

The Gamecocks will tip off their season on Nov. 2 with an overseas matchup against Maryland in Paris, France.