Charlotte Gibson Sep 25, 2026, 10:06 AM ET COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Sitting inside the South Carolina women's basketball film room, Ayla McDowell knew something was wrong. The 6-foot-1 freshman guard was making her first career start against Mississippi State in early February 2026, and she realized she couldn't hear or understand coach Dawn Staley. Since birth, McDowell has suffered from mild sensorineural hearing loss in both ears. At age 8, she was fitted for a hearing aid but chose not to wear it, relying on lip reading. During her freshman season, her hearing loss worsened.

"I think I need hearing aids," McDowell said. "I'm tired of looking at people... it created challenges when it came to response times on the court." For months, she adapted by reading Staley's lips and anticipating teammates' movements. Staley, who knew of McDowell's impairment since her official visit in 2024, would check in about hearing aids, but McDowell wasn't ready.

"I wanted her to excel at basketball because she loves it so much," Staley said. "When you're able to liberate yourself and free yourself of having one less thing that you need to worry about somebody finding out, I think it's a great thing." Staley also spoke with McDowell's mother, Gaby, encouraging a retest. One month after the 2025-26 season ended, McDowell learned her hearing loss had worsened and received her first hearing aids.

"Coach Staley encouraged me to get the hearing aids, and I'm thankful for her," McDowell said. "She never stopped encouraging me. And then she noticed when things got worse and she continued to encourage me and help me take action." In June, the Gamecocks traveled from Columbia to Atlanta for an Atlanta Dream vs. Indiana Fever game.