WATCH: Kamilla Cardoso was once in tears after meeting mom & sister during South Carolina's Senior day

Senior Day is always an emotional affair, but for Kamilla Cardoso, it was more than that. Before South Carolina's game against Tennessee at Colonial Life Arena, the star center was surprised by the presence of her mother and sister.

The touching reunion brought Cardoso to tears after an emotional speech by Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley focused on the personal sacrifices behind Cardoso’s athletic journey.

“This is an incredible moment for all of us, for someone who has made incredible sacrifices for her family for the past eight years…the past eight years, just for this game, just for the game that she loves,” Staley said.

Taking over as the Gamecocks' starting center this season, Cardoso has shone brightly. Averaging 14 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game, she has filled the shoes of former USC star Aliyah Boston.

Her performance didn’t only help South Carolina stay undefeated but also made her a leading contender for SEC Player of the Year honors.

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Dawn Staley hailed Kamilla Cardoso after first WNBA win

Legendary South Carolina coach showered praise on her former player Kamilla Cardoso after her WNBA debut. Cardoso played her first game for the Chicago Sky against the Indiana Fever, finishing with an impressive 11 points and six rebounds. However, Coach Staley made a slight error in her congratulatory tweet.

"Congrats @Kamillascsilva on your first of many @WNBA wins….a productive one at that. The 'Sky' is your ceiling!!!" Staley tweeted, despite the Sky losing 71-70 to Indiana.

Cardoso’s journey to the WNBA is nothing short of inspirational. Arriving in the United States at 14 to play at Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee, she overcame language barriers and cultural differences.

"I had two dreams: to make it in basketball to a very high level and to get a better education to give my family a better life," Cardoso shared in the "Full Court Press" docu-series.

While Cardoso embarks on her exciting WNBA career, Coach Staley will be eying another championship run with South Carolina.