Overview
- Maddy McDaniel announced Thursday that she is stepping away from the program to focus on her mental and emotional well‑being and did not give a timeline for her return.
- Coach Dawn Staley issued a public statement supporting McDaniel and said the program gives players space and grace to address personal issues.
- McDaniel was the only true returning point guard and had been slated for a bigger ball‑handling role after Raven Johnson moved to the WNBA; she averaged 4.3 points, 2.7 assists and 19.7 minutes last season.
- Her absence leaves a thinner guard room on a roster that remains deep at the post position and will force lineup and rotation adjustments during summer practices and preseason work.
- The situation follows a recent precedent when forward Ashlyn Watkins took time away for mental health and later rejoined summer workouts, and it raises questions about who will handle point‑guard duties before the Nov. 2 game in Paris.