The rich are getting richer in Columbia this offseason.
South Carolina forward Victaria Saxton announced she will return to the program for a fifth year, while Georgia Tech guard Kierra Fletcher said she will be joining the national champion Gamecocks as a transfer.
While point guard Destanni Henderson is departing for the WNBA, Saxton's return ensures that South Carolina will bring back four of its five starters while shoring up its backcourt via the transfer portal.
A two-year starter in Columbia, Saxton has been a stalwart for the Gamecocks as they ascended to consecutive Final Four berths, doing a bit of everything at 5.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. The 6-foot-2 player from Rome, Georgia, earned the descriptor "Teflon" from coach Dawn Staley during the NCAA tournament.
"Four years of battling with my sisters. Four years of expanding my game. Four years of leadership in a program I love. Let's do it one more year!" Saxton wrote on social media. "Looking at where I am and where I want to go next, I don't want to leave any opportunity on the table. So, it's back to work with my sisters and my coaches to bring my game to another level -- one that I can build a long career on."
The 5-9 Fletcher, from Warren, Michigan, was a four-year starter in Atlanta, last playing in the 2020-21 campaign before sitting out this past season because of a foot injury. She averaged a career-high 13 points, 3.7 assists and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 41.6% from the field and 35.9% on 3s in 2020-21.
Basketball players were granted an extra year of collegiate eligibility when COVID-19 disrupted 2020-21 season. Beginning with 2021-22, athletes are now permitted to transfer once and retain immediate eligibility.
The Gamecocks are also expected to reintroduce Raven Johnson, the No. 2 overall prospect in the class of 2021 who will be back from the season-ending knee injury she suffered in November.
In 2022-23, South Carolina will look to become the fourth program to repeat as national champion alongside UConn, Tennessee and USC.