South Carolina freshman reserve forward Sahnya Jah has been suspended indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team, according to an announcement made about 40 minutes before the top-ranked Gamecocks faced Missouri. The suspension was confirmed by South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, who did not provide specific details about the nature of Jah’s suspension.
Staley mentioned that the situation will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis, and Jah will work towards getting closer to returning to the team as she said “It’ll be day by day, she’ll work toward getting a little bit closer to coming back, but it will be day-to-day.”
Here is what Dawn Staley had to say tonight about Sahnya Jah being out indefinitely:
"It'll be day by day. It'll be day by day. She'll work towards getting a little bit closer to coming back, but it'll be day to day."@GamecockWBB @wachfox pic.twitter.com/ZUIm1maMLt
— Matt Dowell (@MattDowellTV) February 9, 2024
Sahnya Jah’s suspension adds to reduced roster woes of Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks
Ranked by ESPN HoopGurlz as the 40th best prospect nationally in the 2024 class, Sahnya Jah, a 6-foot forward, has maintained an average of 3.1 points and 2 rebounds per game across 16 total appearances this season. However, with Jah’s current absence due to the suspension, the Gamecocks find themselves with only nine healthy and active scholarship players for their upcoming game and significant matchup against the No. 11 UConn Huskies on Sunday.
This suspension adds to South Carolina’s challenges as they are already missing leading scorer and rebounder Kamilla Cardoso, who is participating in Olympic qualifying for Brazil’s national team and will also miss the upcoming game against No. 11 UConn.
Without Kamilla Cardoso and Sahnya Jah, freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley made an impactful presence both on and off the court. Fulwiley’s energetic performance was the higlight as she contributed 19 points coming off the bench in the top-ranked Gamecocks’ 83-45 victory against Missouri. Fulwiley’s entry into the game shifted the momentum, helping secure South Carolina’s 53rd consecutive home win.
Fulwiley showcased versatility, making a significant impact with steals and offensive contributions. Despite a shaky start without Cardoso, players like Chloe Kitts stepped up, emphasizing teamwork. The win marked South Carolina’s continued dominance, while Fulwiley’s influence and on-court prowess earned her recognition as a “rock star” in head coach Dawn Staley’s eyes.
The current situation, however, poses a challenge for the team, as they navigate the games with a reduced roster. The lack of squad depth and the upcoming games in hand may prove to be worrisome for Staley and the Gamecocks.
Read more: WATCH: Saraya Attacks Phoenix Suns Mascot with a Suplex During NBA Game
