Camden star Joyce Edwards has had quite the high school career. From winning back-to-back state championships and committing to the South Carolina Gamecocks, the No. 2 ranked senior in the country recently added another accolade to her resume: she’s now this year’s 2023-24 Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player.
The distinguished honor, which was announced on Thursday, was presented to her by two-time WNBA All-Star and Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally, who surprised her in Camden HS’s gym alongside her parents, teammates and her coach, Natalie Funderburk, who won Gatorade South Carolina Girls Basketball Player of the Year in ’92.
“I’m just honored and grateful just to be in a position,” Edwards told WSLAM’s Madison Firle. “I mean, even to be considered for this title is an achievement in itself. But for Gatorade to consider me the best girls basketball player in my class is it’s just crazy. I have no words for it. I’m just happy that other people see the work that I’ve put into the game.”
Edwards is a standout forward who can knock down shots and put up big time numbers. As she gets ready for the next level, stars like Sabally already can tell her future is bright:
“She’s gonna make an impact on women’s basketball, inspiring the next generation and really, you know, giving young women [something to look up to],” Sabally says, later adding: “We always look at stats, but South Carolina obviously has a winning culture. And, you know, adding an asset like [Joyce] will drive that winning culture forward. I mean, Dawn Staley doesn’t recruit lightly. And she will definitely select players that are worth of the legacy that they’re building. So I’m just super excited about that.”
All images can be credited to: Gatorade Player of the Year / Joe Greer
