South Carolina lifts Watkins’ sentence

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina lifted forward Ashlyn Watkins’ suspension after assault and kidnapping charges were dismissed earlier this month.

Watkins had been suspended from team activities since his arrest on Aug. 31, although he was allowed to attend classes.

The university released a brief statement Wednesday saying “with the legal charges dismissed, South Carolina junior forward Ashlyn Watkins has returned to team activities, beginning with practice.” Court records show Watkins’ charges were dismissed Nov. 1.

Watkins hadn’t practiced much with the team, wasn’t among the group that traveled to the White House in September to celebrate last season’s national championship, and wasn’t part of the Gamecocks’ top line that defeated Michigan 68-62 in Las Vegas on Monday night. To open the season.

Watkins is a 6-foot-1 junior who plays above his size. He led the Southeastern Conference with 91 blocks last season and had the only two dunks in program history, one each as a freshman and sophomore.

Watkins is expected to take over for 6-7 forward Kamilla Cardoso, who was the team’s leading scorer and rebounder last year and was the Chicago Sky’s first-round pick in the WNBA draft.

South Carolina will face #9 NC State on Sunday in Charlotte, North Carolina.