COLUMBIA — Nearly two full months after her arrest for assault and kidnapping, the future status of suspended South Carolina forward Ashlyn Watkins remains murky.

Watkins, taken care of and was released on bail on August 31, has not been part of the team since the incident. Her first court date was originally listed for Friday, but was rescheduled.

The new date is not known, but when it is, Watkins will not have to appear.

“This case is currently pending in our office. Watkins and other defendants with pending criminal cases in Richland County were scheduled for an initial appearance (Oct. 25),” Fifth Judicial Circuit Public Information Officer Aliyah Scott said in an email. “Because she has obtained legal representation, she is not required to appear in court (for a first appearance). If necessary, a second appearance will be scheduled in approximately four months to monitor the progress of this matter.”

No decision in the matter, if any, has been announced. A team spokesman said Watkins’ status with the team has not changed.

“The status is still the same. Nothing has been moved yet. We’re not going to move until her situation calms down a little bit,” trainer Dawn Staley said on Sept. 24. “It’s out of her control, out of our control.”

Staley said Watkins was doing “great” despite not being able to practice or be around the team. Watkins missed the Gamecocks’ visit to the White House on Sept. 10 to celebrate their 2024 national championship and USC’s 106-63 exhibition win in Memphis on Oct. 15.

The Gamecocks, once again named No. 1 in the polls, host Clayton State in their second and final exhibition on Monday at 7 p.m. They begin the season against Michigan on Nov. 4 in Las Vegas.

Legally, the case could be resolved at any time. It is not uncommon for lawyers on each side to meet outside the courtroom and discuss potential resolutions.

Beyond that, Watkins could face a university review. USC “conducts administrative reviews of students who have been charged with criminal charges, particularly when they stem from an incident on campus,” school spokesman Jeff Stensland said in an email. “While these reviews are ongoing, there are a variety of emergency measures that may occur to ensure safety, depending on individual circumstances. These may include barring a student from attending in-person classes, living in university-sponsored housing, and suspension from participating in other campus activities .”

Once the university has completed its review, the athletic department and team may decide on any other potential discipline.