COLUMBIA -- South Carolina women's basketball is the 2024 national champion, bringing home the program's third title with its first undefeated season. In what was expected to be a rebuilding year, coach Dawn Staley led a master class of basketball capped off by a 89-75 win over No. 1 Iowa on Saturday.

Prior to securing the championship game's Most Outstanding Player award, Kamilla Cardoso, declared for the WNBA draft to be held April 15..

Luckily for South Carolina, everyone else is expected to return. The transfer portal closes May 1, so pending potential changes, this is an early look at the 2024-25 team.

Freshmen

Adhel Tac, a 6-foot-5 post, signed with South Carolina in November 2023, According to a school news release, Staley said ,“Adhel’s interior presence and high motor allow her to impact the game in so many ways." At the time of her signing, Tac was rated one of the top five post players in the country.

Another incoming freshman is 6-2 Joyce Edwards, a top five overall prospect the Gatorade national player of the year who committed to USC in November. Edwards played in the McDonald's All American game April 2, where she displayed her great post work.

With the departure of Cardoso, these two incoming freshmen quickly could become great assets to the frontcourt.

The Gamecocks also add Madisen McDaniel, another November signee, who brings point guard experience. How much she'll play is uncertain, but Staley said, “I love a point guard who plays to make others better without sacrificing her own talent as a playmaker; and Madisen is that.”

Sophomores

Tessa Johnson and Milaysia Fulwiley showed no signs of youthful nerves or rookie mistakes in the biggest game of their collage career. Instead, the duo stepped up in massive moments and finished with a combined 28 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and four 3-poiners in the championship game win against Iowa.

Johnson ended her season with a career-high 19 points. She averaged 17.8 minutes and 6.6 points this year. If she brings that championship game energy into her sophomore season, South Carolina's bench will continue to thrive. Fulwiley averaged 11.7 points per game and shot 43.8 % from the field. Fulwiley's elite in-game IQ and playmaking abilities strengthen the bench.

Juniors

Ashlyn Watkins, Raven Johnson and Chloe Kitts enter 2024-25 with another year of quality, competitive basketball under their belts. Watkins, typically the sixth man off the bench, saw starting minutes when Cardoso was out. Watkins finished with averages of 2.4 blocks, 9.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in her sophomore year. Raven Johnson averaged 8.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game, with an 11% increase on her 3-point shooting from her freshman year. Johnson's leadership should bode well for a team looking to repeat its title win. Kitts elevated her game, going from 1.6 points per game to 9.1 in addition to 5.9 rebounds per game her sophomore year.

These three shared starting minutes throughout the season, giving South Carolina no worries about the starting lineup with Cardoso gone.

REPEAT TOUR South Carolina women’s basketball, Dawn Staley prepare for a ‘repeat tour’ after NCAA title

Seniors

Te-Hina Paopao announced she was returning for her fifth season, automatically lifting next year's roster. Paopao, a transfer, shot almost 50% from 3-point distance during the 2023-24 season. Other seniors include Bree Hall and Sania Feagin. Hall is efficient on both ends of the floor, a smart defender with great offensive production. Feagin played well off the bench for Cardoso and Kitts, averaging 15 minutes per game..

If "team mom," Sakima Walker, a 6-5 post player returns for a fifth year, she will likely see more minutes because of Cardoso's departure.

REQUIRED READING: Why did Te-Hina Paopao transfer to South Carolina from Oregon? Gamecocks sharpshooter key in Sweet 16 run so far

Overall, South Carolina looks poised to contend again for the national championship, but no season is guaranteed. Incorporating the freshmen will be critical to another dominant seasons, but the roster shows a strong core group that just displayed excellence this season.

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.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina women's basketball has loaded roster again in 2024-25