Dunking in women’s basketball is not new, but when you’re South Carolina Gamecocks forward Ashlyn Watkins, your dunks are a bit more special.
Despite losing all five starters from last season, South Carolina is the only remaining undefeated team in Division I college basketball. Their win streak can be attributed to phenomenal coaching from head coach Dawn Staley and spectacular talent that commands a court. Staley’s roster includes freshman star Milaysia Fulwiley, guard Raven Johnson, and the quiet-but-fierce Ashlyn Watkins.
On Monday, during South Carolina’s 50th-straight home win and a visit from Vice President Kamala Harris, Watkins picked the pocket of an unsuspecting Kentucky player and promptly dunked it on the other end, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
THE BUILDING. IS. SHAKING!!!@Ashlyn2W PUTS IT DOWN!
📺| https://t.co/0JOcVMMQoS pic.twitter.com/cb8DwtnbHh
— South Carolina Women's Basketball (@GamecockWBB) January 16, 2024
Ashlyn Watkins with the in-game dunk tonight!!! @Ashlyn2W @GamecockWBB pic.twitter.com/j0nUPFNi1x
— Ballislife Womens Basketball (@ballislifewbb_) January 16, 2024
What makes Watkins’ dunk so special is that she is now tied with former Tennessee and WNBA star Michelle Snow and former Stanford forward Fran Belibi for the second-most dunks by a woman in NCAA history.
But, if you ask Ashlyn, whose first college dunks came last season, she’s not new to this. She’s true to this.
If you know Ashlyn Watkins, you know this dunk was nothing new.
But despite her nonchalant attitude, she made history tonight:@wachfox @GamecockWBB @CNathletics1 pic.twitter.com/jR21Jua6q7
— amanda (@amanda_1815) January 16, 2024