COLUMBIA — South Carolina women's basketball signed five new players to its 2023-24 roster after graduating the entire starting lineup from last season's Final Four team.

The Gamecocks added two transfers and three freshmen to replace the iconic "Freshies" class, and the team hasn't missed a beat yet. South Carolina (10-0) ascended to No. 1 in the country after the first week of the season and hold a nation-leading four ranked wins after beating No. 10 Utah in the Basketball Hall of Fame Showcase last week.

As SEC play rapidly approaches, we graded the Gamecocks' newcomers through the first five weeks of the season — and where their potential stands entering the new year:

Te-Hina Paopao: A+

Oregon transfer Te-Hina Paopao has been a perfect fit for South Carolina far beyond her capability as a 3-point shooter — though that has certainly been a welcome addition. The senior guard ranks No. 15 in the county shooting 51.2% beyond the arc, and she averages 13.1 points, 3.5 assists and three rebounds per game.

Part of her impact is a testament to coach Dawn Staley, who is running a drastically different offense this season compared to the one the "Freshies" perfected. But Paopao's maturity and even-keeled leadership provide a much-needed foil for younger standouts like Raven Johnson that thrive when playing at top speed. The biggest concern about Paopao was her defense, but she has rarely been a liability and logged nine steals in eight games.

Sakima Walker: C

Senior center Sakima Walker was always going to be a developmental piece for the Gamecocks transferring in from junior college after a brief stint at Rutgers from 2020-22. She is averaging 2.1 points and 1.8 rebounds shooting 67% from the field in a team-low seven minutes per game.

Staley said Walker's minutes will continue to increase as she improves in practice, but she has yet to look like a viable second option when star center Kamilla Cardoso goes to the bench. Walker doesn't have the speed to hold pace with South Carolina's top guards, and she's still figuring out how to maximize her size defensively. The potential is there, but Walker has a ways to go before she can be truly impactful.

MiLaysia Fulwiley: A-

Freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley headlined South Carolina's 2023 signing class as the No. 13 prospect in the country, and she has overwhelmingly lived up to the hype in her young college career. The 5-foot-10 guard is averaging 12.1 points, three assists and 2.6 rebounds in 18 minutes per game, but what really sets her apart is her highlight reel. Fulwiley has an elite handle and makes moves that even Staley says she couldn't have executed as a player.

Fulwiley's flair has drawn attention across the basketball world from Magic Johnson to Kevin Durant, making it easy to forget that she's still a freshman. Fulwiley's style can make her turnover-prone, and she's inconsistent as a shooter despite the range to hit from just about anywhere. Her role will only increase with time — her defensive growth is already apparent nine games in — but Fulwiley likely won't reach her full superstar potential in Year 1.

Sahnya Jah: B-

Freshman Sahnya Jah has been the least-utilized among South Carolina's newcomers, but her flashes show an incredibly high upside. The 6-foot forward is averaging 4.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 10 minutes across seven games. However, Staley appears to lack some confidence in Jah, failing to rotate her into close games against Duke and Utah and playing her for a single minute at North Carolina.

Jah needs time to develop into the elite standard that the Gamecocks hold, and her fit in Staley's system elevates her floor. The freshman plays with a fearlessness that makes her an aggressive defender and scrappy presence in the paint, but she can also get ahead of herself and lose track of assignments or plays. South Carolina's depth gives Jah plenty of space to grow, and the start of SEC play provides a key measuring stick.

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Tessa Johnson: B+

Freshman Tessa Johnson made an impressive start to her college career, playing 10-plus minutes in ranked matchups against both Notre Dame and Maryland and recording a near double-double against the Terrapins. However, an ankle injury caused her to miss three games that could have helped establish comfort in the rotation. She logged a career-high 16 points against Morgan State in her first extended minutes after the injury but scored two points across the UNC, Duke and Utah games combined.

Johnson is already polished for a freshman. She can shoot at every level — averaging 54.5% from the field — and is capable both passing and rebounding as a taller guard. The biggest thing Johnson is missing is aggression, and that comes with confidence and time. South Carolina will need her to be a contributor as the season progresses, and it's easy to see her ceiling despite limited touches right now.

Follow South Carolina women's basketball reporter Emily Adams on X @eaadams6 and subscribe to The Greenville News for exclusive Gamecocks content: https://subscribe.greenvilleonline.com/offers.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Grading South Carolina basketball newcomers including MiLaysia Fulwiley