Columbia, SC In a groundbreaking act of generosity and social leadership, South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball star Ta’Niya Latson has announced a $7.5 million personal investment to convert a historic estate in downtown Columbia into a state-of-the-art shelter for homeless youth.
The property, a 15,000-square-foot colonial mansion, will be repurposed into “The Rising Place,” a transitional living facility that offers housing, mental health services, educational resources, and career training for youth ages 16–24 experiencing homelessness or aging out of foster care.
Latson, 20, made national headlines last season as the NCAA’s leading scorer and a Second-Team All-American after transferring from Florida State. Now, she’s making waves off the court by launching one of the largest athlete-led philanthropic housing initiatives in recent college sports history.
“Basketball has given me a platform, but service gives me purpose,” Latson said during a press conference Friday. “Too many young people in South Carolina face homelessness without the support they need. I’m using what I have to give them hope and a home.”
The project is being developed in partnership with local non-profit Youth Thrive SC and the University of South Carolina School of Social Work, which will assist with on-site counseling and outreach programming.
Construction is slated to begin in late June, with a grand opening planned for Spring 2026. The shelter will house up to 50 residents at a time and will feature classrooms, counseling rooms, a gym, and community gardens.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster called the initiative “a model of student-athlete leadership and a blessing for the state,” and University President Michael Amiridis praised Latson’s “vision, courage, and commitment to making lasting change.”
Latson, who still has NCAA eligibility remaining, said the shelter will operate as a long-term legacy project: “This is more than a donation. It’s a mission. My goal is to prove that young people—especially athletes—can lead, build, and lift others.”
Ta’Niya Latson’s bold move is already sparking conversations across college athletics about the power of purpose-driven athletes. With this $7.5 million commitment, she’s not only changing lives—she’s setting a new standard for what it means to be a star.
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