South Carolina women's basketball, Dawn Staley land Arkansas forward Maryam Dauda

COLUMBIA — South Carolina women's basketball has gained its first transfer of the offseason.

Former Arkansas forward Maryam Dauda announced her commitment to South Carolina on Wednesday via social media, after entering the transfer portal last month.

The 6-foot-4 forward played two seasons for the Razorbacks, averaging 10.1 points and 6.3 rebounds last season. Dauda is from Arkansas and played at Bentonville High School, where she was a five-star recruit in the class of 2021. She was a four-time All-Conference selection and three-time All-State selection out of high school and named a McDonald's All American in 2021.

Dauda will be a redshirt junior this season, joining the front court group with Chloe Kitts, Adhel Tac and Sania Feagin. Sakima Walker, a 6-foot-5 center, has yet to announce if she is returning to South Carolina for her fifth year of eligibility.

The Gamecocks are without 6-7 center Kamilla Cardoso, who is now with the Chicago Sky in the WNBA.

Dauda announced on an Instagram Live on Sunday that her final two options were between South Carolina and Baylor. Dauda said she had planned to visit Iowa before the retirement of coach Lisa Bluder changed her plans.

MORE:South Carolina women's basketball looks loaded again in 2024-25 roster under Dawn Staley

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin