South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball

Last updated
South Carolina Gamecocks
Basketball current event.svg 2023–24 South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team
South Carolina Gamecocks logo.svg
University University of South Carolina
All-time record1020–535 (.656)
Athletic director Ray Tanner
Head coach Dawn Staley (16th season)
Conference SEC
Location Columbia, South Carolina
Arena Colonial Life Arena
(Capacity: 18,000)
Nickname Gamecocks
Student sectionThe Cockpit
ColorsGarnet and black [1]
   
Uniforms
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Home
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Away
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Alternate
NCAA tournament champions
2017, 2022, 2024
NCAA tournament Final Four
2015, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
NCAA tournament Elite Eight
2002, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen
1982, 1990, 2002, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
NCAA tournament second round
1982, 1988, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
NCAA tournament appearances
1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 2002, 2003, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
AIAW tournament Final Four
1980
AIAW tournament Elite Eight
1980
AIAW tournament Sweet Sixteen
1980
AIAW tournament appearances
1973, 1980
Conference tournament champions
Metro Conference: 1986, 1988, 1989
SEC: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024
Conference regular season champions
Metro Conference: 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
SEC: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024

The South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team represents the University of South Carolina and competes in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Under current head coach Dawn Staley, the Gamecocks have been one of the top programs in the country, winning the NCAA Championship in 2017, 2022, and 2024. The program also enjoyed success under head coach Nancy Wilson during the 1980s in the Metro Conference, when it won five regular season conference championships and three conference tournament championships.

Contents

History

The Gamecocks first competed at an intercollegiate level in women's basketball in 1923, when they were called the Pullets (a young domestic hen, a play off "Gamecocks," which is a rooster).

The modern era of South Carolina women's basketball began when the Carolina Chicks took to the court in January 1974 under the guidance of Pam Backhaus. The inaugural team compiled a record of 15–7 and were the South Carolina AIAW champions. In 1977, with Pam Parsons as the head coach the women's basketball team, they changed their nickname to the Lady Gamecocks and made postseason trips every year during her four-year tenure.

During its eight seasons in the Metro Conference (now Conference USA after the 1995 reunification), the Lady Gamecocks won the regular season championship five times and the conference tournament three times. [2]

When South Carolina joined the SEC, success was hard to come by during their first decade in one of the strongest conferences in women's basketball. They initially struggled to compete under head coaches Nancy Wilson and Susan Walvius. Walvius' teams in 2001–02 and 2002–03 broke through to finish 25–7 and 23–8, respectively, earning trips to the NCAA tournament and reaching the Elite Eight in 2002.

Walvius resigned after the 2007–08 season. On May 7, 2008, Dawn Staley was named the new head coach of the team now known as simply the "Gamecocks".

Under coach Staley, the Gamecocks improved or equaled their win total every season during her first seven years leading the program, culminating in a 34–3 record in 2014–15. That year they won the SEC regular season championship, the SEC Tournament championship and the NCAA East Region Championship. The season ended in the NCAA Final Four with a last second one-point loss to Notre Dame in the national semifinals.

The following year, the Gamecocks went undefeated in conference play, only to be stymied in the Sweet 16 by Syracuse. In 2016–17, the Gamecocks garnered their third straight sweep of the SEC regular season and tournament titles en route to their second Final Four. They defeated conference rival Mississippi State in the national championship game to win their first-ever national title.

In the 2018 SEC tournament, the Gamecocks defeated Mississippi State to win the SEC tournament, South Carolina is the only team to win the SEC tournament for four straight years. Their season came to an end when they were defeated by Connecticut in the Elite Eight.

In 2020, South Carolina finished 32–1 (16–0), led by the #1 ranked recruiting class and senior leadership of point guard Tyasha Harris. The Gamecocks defeated 14 ranked teams including their first-ever victory over UConn, and won both the SEC regular season and tournament titles. South Carolina won their final 26 games of the season and spent the final nine weeks as the AP #1 ranked team. Dawn Staley was named national coach of the year, and Aliyah Boston was named national freshman of the year, and SEC defensive player of the year. When the COVID-19 pandemic ended the season prematurely on March 12, South Carolina was ranked at the top of the AP and coaches' polls. Due to the unprecedented abrupt ending to the season following the SEC Championship win, Staley said they should be claim the mythical national championship, with the program making a claim through the size and location of the banner highlighting finishing #1 in the polls on December 31, 2020, at the 2020–21 conference season opener. As of the 2022–23 season, that banner size is identical to the two official championship banners, and located between the official championship banners. [3] [4] In 2021, the team reached the Final Four, losing to Stanford by a point.

On April 3, 2022, the Gamecocks won their 2nd national title with a 64–49 win over UConn, finishing the season 35–2 and being ranked #1 in both major polls for the entire season. Aliyah Boston won Player of the Year, and Dawn Staley was named Naismith Award winner as the best coach in the nation for 2022. [5]

On February 18, 2024, South Carolina set a record for winning 43 straight SEC victories.

Current roster

2024–25 South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#NameHeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
G 0 Te-Hina Paopao 5 ft 9 in(1.75 m)Sr La Jolla Country Day   Flag of California.svg
Oregon Oregon Ducks logo.svg 		Oceanside, CA   Flag of the United States.svg
F 2 Ashlyn Watkins 6 ft 3 in(1.91 m)Jr Cardinal Newman   Flag of South Carolina.svg Columbia, SC   Flag of the United States.svg
G 5 Tessa Johnson 5 ft 10 in(1.78 m)So St. Michael-Albertville   Flag of Minnesota.svg Albertville, MN   Flag of the United States.svg
G 12 MiLaysia Fulwiley 5 ft 6 in(1.68 m)So Keenan   Flag of South Carolina.svg Columbia, SC   Flag of the United States.svg
G 20Sania Feagin6 ft 3 in(1.91 m)Sr Forest Park   Flag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg Ellenwood, GA   Flag of the United States.svg
F 21 Chloe Kitts 6 ft 2 in(1.88 m)Jr DME Academy   Flag of Florida.svg Oviedo, FL   Flag of the United States.svg
G 23 Bree Hall 6 ft 0 in(1.83 m)Sr Wayne   Flag of Ohio.svg Dayton, OH   Flag of the United States.svg
G 25 Raven Johnson 5 ft 8 in(1.73 m)RS Jr Westlake   Flag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg Atlanta, GA   Flag of the United States.svg
C 35Sakima Walker6 ft 5 in(1.96 m)Sr Columbus Africentric   Flag of Ohio.svg
Rutgers Rutgers Scarlet Knights logo.svg 		Columbus, OH   Flag of the United States.svg
F tbd Joyce Edwards 6 ft 3 in(1.91 m)Fr Camden   Flag of South Carolina.svg Camden, SC   Flag of the United States.svg
C tbdAdhel Tac6 ft 5 in(1.96 m)Fr South Grand Prairie   Flag of Texas.svg Grand Prairie, TX   Flag of the United States.svg
G tbdMadisen McDaniel5 ft 9 in(1.75 m)Fr Bishop McNamara   Flag of Maryland.svg Upper Marlboro, MD   Flag of the United States.svg
G tbdMaryam Dauda6 ft 4 in(1.93 m)RS Jr Bentonville   Flag of Arkansas.svg
Arkansas Arkansas Razorbacks logo.svg 		Bentonville, AR   Flag of the United States.svg
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster
Last update: November 18th, 2021

Head coaches

NameYearsSeasonsGamesWonLostPct.
Pam Backhaus1974–1975
1976–1977		2562630.464
Frankie Porter1975–1976122715.318
Pam Parsons1977–1981514410143.701
Terry Kelly1982–19843825032.610
Nancy Wilson 1985–199713380231149.608
Susan Walvius 1998–200811325165160.508
Dawn Staley 2008–present16546440106.805
All-Time5115551020535.656

2024 Coaching Staff

NamePositionSeasons at South Carolina
Dawn Staley Head coach 17th
Lisa Boyer Associate head coach17th
Jolette Law Assistant coach8th
Winston GandyAssistant coach2nd
Khadijah SessionsAssistant coach2nd
Mary WooleyAssistant coach2nd
Reference: [6]

Year-by-year results

Conference tournament winners noted with # Source [7]

SeasonTeamOverallConferenceStandingPostseasonCoaches' pollAP poll
Pam Backhaus (Independent)(1974–1975)
1974–75Pam Backhaus18–12 (.600)–AIAW Region II
Frankie Porter (Independent)(1975–1976)
1975–76Frankie Porter 7–15
Frankie Porter:7–15.318
Pam Backhaus (Independent)(1976–1977)
1976–77Pam Backhaus 8–18–SCAIAW
Pam Backhaus:26–30 (.464)–
Pam Parsons (Independent)(1977–1982)
1977–78Pam Parsons 24–10–AIAW Region II
1978–79Pam Parsons 27–10–AIAW Region II
NWIT Champions		15
1979–80Pam Parsons 30–6– AIAW Third Place 4
1980–81Pam Parsons 13–17–AIAW Region II
1981Pam Parsons 7–0–
Pam Parsons:101–43 (.701)–
Terry Kelly (Independent, Metro)(1982–1985)
1982Terry Kelly 16–8– NCAA Sweet Sixteen
1982–83Terry Kelly 16–12–
1983–84Terry Kelly 18–127–3
Terry Kelly:50–32 (.610)7–3 (.700)
Nancy Wilson (Metro, SEC)(1984–1997)
1984–85Nancy Wilson 18–108–3T–1st
1985–86Nancy Wilson 19–119–11st NCAA first round
1986–87Nancy Wilson 18–128–43rd
1987–88Nancy Wilson 23–1110–21st NCAA second round 24
1988–89Nancy Wilson 23–710–21st NCAA first round 2217
1989–90Nancy Wilson 24–913–11st NCAA Sweet Sixteen 1619
1990–91Nancy Wilson 22–912–21st NCAA first round
1991–92Nancy Wilson 13–152–912th (SEC)
1992–93Nancy Wilson 17–105–6T-6th
1993–94Nancy Wilson 14–132–9T-10th
1994–95Nancy Wilson 12–151–10T-10th
1995–96Nancy Wilson 16–122–9T-11th
1996–97Nancy Wilson 12–151–11T-11th
Nancy Wilson:231–149 (.608)83–69 (.546)
Susan Walvius (SEC)(1997–2008)
1997–98Susan Walvius 13–153–11T-11th
1998–99Susan Walvius 11–160–1412th
1999–00Susan Walvius 13–153–1111th
2000–01Susan Walvius 11–176–8T-6th
2001–02Susan Walvius 25–710–4T-2nd NCAA Elite Eight 613
2002–03Susan Walvius 23–89–5T-5th NCAA second round 1816
2003–04Susan Walvius 10–181–1312th
2004–05Susan Walvius 8–212–1212th
2005–06Susan Walvius 17–127–77thWNIT Second round
2006–07Susan Walvius 18–156–8T-7th WNIT third round
2007–08Susan Walvius 16–164–10T-9th WNIT second round
Susan Walvius:165–160 (.508)51–103 (.331)
Dawn Staley (SEC)(2008–present)
2008–09Dawn Staley 10–182–1211th
2009–10 Dawn Staley 14–157–9T-7th
2010–11Dawn Staley 18–158–8T-5th WNIT second round
2011–12Dawn Staley 25–1010–6T-4th NCAA Sweet Sixteen 2125
2012–13Dawn Staley 25–811–5T-4th NCAA second round 1417
2013–14 Dawn Staley 29–514–21st NCAA Sweet Sixteen 88
2014–15 Dawn Staley 34–315–11st NCAA Final Four 34
2015–16 Dawn Staley 33–216–01st NCAA Sweet Sixteen 35
2016–17 Dawn Staley 33–414–21st NCAA Champions 13
2017–18 Dawn Staley 29–712–4T-2nd NCAA Elite Eight 67
2018–19 Dawn Staley 23–1013–32nd NCAA Sweet Sixteen 1315
2019–20 Dawn Staley 32–116–01stCanceled due to Covid-1911
2020–21 Dawn Staley 26–514–22nd NCAA Final Four 46
2021–22 Dawn Staley 35–215–11st NCAA Champions 11
2022–23 Dawn Staley 36–116–01st NCAA Final Four 31
2023–24 Dawn Staley 38–016–01st NCAA Champions 11
Dawn Staley:440–106 (.806)199–55 (.783)
Total:1020–535 (.656)

      National champion        Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion        Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion      Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

Postseason results

NCAA Division I

YearSeedRoundOpponentResult
1982 #3First round
Sweet Sixteen		#6 East Carolina
#2 Kentucky		W 79–54
L 69–73
1986 #7First round#10 Middle TennL 77–78
1988 #8First round
Second round		#9 Alabama
#1 Texas		W 77–63
L 58–77
1989 #6First round#11 Tennessee TechL 73–77
1990 #5First round
Second round
Sweet Sixteen		#12 Bowling Green
#4 Northwestern
#1 Washington		W 93–50
W 76–67
L 61–73
1991 #7First round#10 VanderbiltL 64–73
2002 #3First round
Second round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		#14 Liberty
#6 Cincinnati
#7 Drake
#1 Duke		W 69–61
W 75–56
W 79–65
L 68–77
2003 #5First round
Second round		#12 UT Chattanooga
#4 Penn State		W 68–54
L 67–77
2012 #5First round
Second round
Sweet Sixteen		#12 Eastern Michigan
#4 Purdue
#1 Stanford		W 80–48
W 72–61
L 60–76
2013 #4First round
Second round		#13 South Dakota State
#12 Kansas		W 74–53
L 69–75
2014 #1First round
Second round
Sweet Sixteen		#16 Cal St Northridge
#9 Oregon State
#4 North Carolina		W 73–58
W 78–69
L 58–65
2015 #1First round
Second round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four		#16 Savannah State
#8 Syracuse
#4 North Carolina
#2 Florida State
#1 Notre Dame		W 81–48
W 97–68
W 67–65
W 80–74
L 65–66
2016 #1First round
Second round
Sweet Sixteen		#16 Jacksonville
#9 Kansas State
#4 Syracuse		W 77–41
W 73–47
L 72–80
2017 #1First round
Second round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
National Championship		#16 UNC Asheville
#8 Arizona State
#12 Quinnipiac
#3 Florida State
#2 Stanford
#2 Mississippi State		W 90–40
W 71–68
W 100–58
W 71–64
W 62–53
W 67–55
2018 #2First round
Second round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		#15 North Carolina A&T
#10 Virginia
#11 Buffalo
#1 Connecticut		W 63–52
W 66–56
W 79–63
L 65–94
2019 #4First round
Second round
Sweet Sixteen		#13 Belmont
#5 Florida State
#1 Baylor		W 74–52
W 72–64
L 68–93
2021 #1First round
Second round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four		#16 Mercer
#8 Oregon State
#5 Georgia Tech
#6 Texas
#1 Stanford		W 79–53
W 59–42
W 76–65
W 62–34
L 65–66
2022 #1First round
Second round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
National Championship		#16 Howard
#8 Miami
#5 North Carolina
#10 Creighton
#1 Louisville
#2 Connecticut		W 79–21
W 49–33
W 69–61
W 80–50
W 72–59
W 64–49
2023 #1First round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four		#16 Norfolk State
#8 South Florida
#4 UCLA
#2 Maryland
#2 Iowa		W 72–40
W 76–45
W 59–43
W 86–75
L 73–77
2024 #1First round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
National Championship		#16 Presbyterian
#8 North Carolina
#4 Indiana
#3 Oregon State
#3 NC State
#1 Iowa		W 91–39
W 88–41
W 79–75
W 70–58
W 78–59
W 87–75

NCAA Tournament Seeding History

The following lists where the Gamecocks have been seeded in the NCAA tournament.

Years → '82 '86 '88 '89 '90 '91 '02 '03 '12 '13 '14 '15 '16 '17 '18 '19 '21 '22 '23 '24
Seeds →37865735541111241111

National Championships

YearCoachOpponentScoreRecord
2017 Dawn Staley Mississippi State Bulldogs 67–5533–4
2022 Dawn Staley UConn Huskies 64–4935–2
2024 Dawn Staley Iowa Hawkeyes 87–7538–0
National Championships3

Conference Championships

YearOverall RecordConference RecordCoachConference
198618–119–1 Nancy Wilson Metro
198823–1110–2 Nancy Wilson Metro
198923–710–2 Nancy Wilson Metro
199024–913–1 Nancy Wilson Metro
199122–912–2 Nancy Wilson Metro
201429–514–2 Dawn Staley SEC
201534–315–1 Dawn Staley SEC
201633–216–0 Dawn Staley SEC
201733–414–2 Dawn Staley SEC
202032–116–0 Dawn Staley SEC
202235–215–1 Dawn Staley SEC
202336–116–0 Dawn Staley SEC
202438–016–0 Dawn Staley SEC

Conference Tournament Championships

South Carolina has played in the Southeastern Conference since the 1997–98 season. The Gamecocks have won 8 out of the last 10 tournament titles, all under Head Coach, Dawn Staley.

Metro Tournament Championships

YearSeedRoundOpponentResult
1986#1Semifinals
Championship		(4) Virginia Tech
(3) Cincinnati		W 67–54
W 67–48
1988#1Semifinals
Championship		(4) Southern Mississippi
(3) Memphis		W 86–77
W 81–70
1989#1Semifinals
Championship		(5) Cincinnati
(2) Southern Mississippi		W 63–60
W 92–65

SEC Tournament Championships

YearSeedRoundOpponentResult
2015 #1Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Championship		(9) Arkansas
(4) LSU
(2) Tennessee		W 58–36
W 74–54
W 62–46
2016 #1Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Championship		(9) Auburn
(5) Kentucky
(2) Mississippi State		W 57–48
W 93–63
W 66–52
2017 #1Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Championship		(8) Georgia
(4) Kentucky
(2) Mississippi State		W 72–48
W 89–77
W 59–49
2018 #2Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Championship		(7) Tennessee
(3) Georgia
(1) Mississippi State		W 73–62
W 71–49
W 62–51
2020 #1Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Championship		(9) Georgia
(5) Arkansas
(2) Mississippi State		W 89–56
W 90–64
W 76–62
2021 #2Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Championship		(7) Alabama
(3) Tennessee
(4) Georgia		W 75–63
W 67–52
W 67–62
2023 #1Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Championship		(8) Arkansas
(4) Ole Miss
(3) Tennessee		W 93–66
W 80–51
W 74–58
2024 #1Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Championship		(9) Texas A&M
(5)Tennessee
(2) LSU		W 79–68
W 74–73
W 79–72

AIAW Division I

The Gamecocks made two appearances in the AIAW National Division I basketball tournament, with a combined record of 6–3.

YearRoundOpponentResult
1973 First round
Consolation First round
Consolation Second round
Consolation third round		 East Stroudsburg State
Lehman
UC Riverside
Kansas State 		L, 59–66
W, 58–53
W, 49–36
L, 57–69
1980 First round
Second round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Third-place game		 USC
Northwestern
Stephen F. Austin
Tennessee
Louisiana Tech 		W, 81–60
W, 64–61
W, 63–56
L, 72–75
W, 77–69

Attendance

Over the years, the Gamecocks have played in three different venues. At first games were played at the Blatt P.E. Center. Later games moved to the Carolina Coliseum, which saw the first sell out for a women's basketball game on January 17, 2002. That day, 12,168 fans turned out to see the South Carolina Gamecocks take on the Tennessee Lady Vols.

On November 22, 2002, the Gamecocks opened the newly constructed Colonial Life Arena (then known as Carolina Center; the arena's deal with Unum was signed a year later) with a $1 admission night, leading to a crowd 17,712 saw the Gamecocks defeat the arch-rival Clemson Lady Tigers. [8] The first sell out with 18,000 in attendance occurred on February 8, 2016, against the University of Connecticut Huskies in a match up of the two top ranked teams in the country.

Crowds of over 16,000 at Colonial Life Arena for Women's Basketball games:

DateAttendanceOpponentResult
02–18–202418,478GeorgiaW 70–56
02–11–202418,167UConnW 83–65
03–03–202418,000TennesseeW 76–68
02–04–202418,000Ole MissW 85–56
01–28–202418,000VanderbiltW 91–74
02–26–202318,000GeorgiaW 73–63
02–12–202318,000LSUW 88–64
02–20–202218,000TennesseeW 67–53
03–01–202018,000Texas A&MW 60–52
02–10–202018,000UConnW 70–52
03–03–201918,000Mississippi StateL 68–64
02–01–201818,000UConnL 58–83
02–26–201718,000KentuckyW 95–87
02–08–201618,000UConnL 66–54
11–22–200217,712ClemsonW 72–58
01–11–201517,156KentuckyW 68–60
11–16–202316,820ClemsonW 109–40
11–13–201516,815Ohio StateW 88–80
01–02–201516,465AuburnW 77–58
12–06–201516,429DukeW 66–55
02–28–201616,240LSUW 75–39
02–18–201616,186GeorgiaW 61–51
12–06–202316,181Morgan StateW 104–38
11–12–202316,007MarylandW 114–76

South Carolina has led the nation in attendance every season since 2014–15, with the exception of 2020 which was limited due to COVID. The Gamecocks have averaged over 10,000 fans in 92 consecutive regular season home games.

YearGamesOverall W–LOverall Win PctNCAA W–LNCAA Win PctTotal Attendance (SEC/Nat Rank)Avg Attendance (SEC/Nat Rank)
2014–15 1616–01.0002–01.000196,684 (1st/1st)12,293 (1st/1st)
2015–16 1716–10.9412–01.000244,196 (1st/1st)14,364 (1st/1st)
2016–17 1615–10.9382–01.000196,431 (1st/1st)12,277 (1st/1st)
2017–18 1715–20.8822–01.000225,064 (1st/1st)13,239 (1st/1st)
2018–19 17*13–40.7652–01.000176,904 (1st/2nd)10,406 (1st/1st)
2019–20 1515–01.0000–0183,272 (1st/1st)12,218 (1st/1st)
2020–21 1110–10.9090–0Covid AttendanceCovid Average
2021–22 1616–01.0002–01.000196,286 (1st/1st)12,268 (1st/1st)
2022–23 1717–01.0002–01.000220,010 (1st/1st)12,941 (1st/1st)
2023–24 1717–01.0002–01.000273,133 (1st/1st)16,067 (1st/1st)
Totals159150–90.94316–01.0001,911,98012,897

* The 2019 NCAA Tournament games were played in Halton Arena, Charlotte, NC

Notes

Notable players

Gamecocks drafted to the WNBA

PlayerDraftSeasonsNotesWNBA ChampionWNBA MVPFinals MVPRookie of the YearAll-Star GameAll-Star
Shannon Johnson 1999 – Orlando 11(1999–2009) Orlando, Connecticut, San Antonio, Detroit, Houston, Seattle 1999, 2000, 2002, 20031999, 2000, 2002
Shaunzinski Gortman 2002 – 9th by Charlotte 5(2002–2006) Last with the Seattle Storm
Jocelyn Penn 2003 – 9th by Charlotte 2(2003–2004) Last with the San Antonio
Tiffany Mitchell 2016 – 9th by Indiana 8(2016–Present) Indiana, Minnesota
Alaina Coates 2017 – 2nd by Chicago 5(2017–Present) Chicago, Minnesota, Indiana, Atlanta, Washington, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Seattle 2023
Allisha Gray 2017 – 4th by Dallas 5(2017–present) Dallas Wings, Atlanta 2017 2023
Kaela Davis 2017 – 10th by Dallas 5(2017–Present) Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Seattle, Phoenix
A'ja Wilson 2018 – 1st by Las Vegas 6(2018–Present) Las Vegas 2022, 2023 2020, 2022 2023 2018 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 20232020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Mikiah Herbert Harrigan 2020 – 6th by Minnesota 2(2020–Present) Minnesota, Seattle
Tyasha Harris 2020 – 7th by Dallas 4(2020–Present) Dallas, Connecticut
Destanni Henderson 2022 – 20th by Indiana 2(2022–Present) Indiana, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Atlanta
Aliyah Boston 2023 – 1st by Indiana 1(2023–Present) Indiana 2023 2023
Laeticia Amihere 2023 – 8th by Atlanta 1(2023–Present) Atlanta
Zia Cooke 2023 – 10th by Los Angeles 1(2023–Present) Los Angeles
Brea Beal 2023 – 24th by Minnesota 1(2023–Present) Minnesota, Las Vegas
Victaria Saxton 2023 – 25th by Indiana 1(2023–Present) Indiana
Kamilla Cardoso 2024 – 3rd by Chicago 1(2024–Present) Chicago

Also drafted:

Retired jerseys

South Carolina has retired four jersey numbers. [9]

No.PlayerCareer
13Martha Parker1985–1989
14Shannon Johnson1992–1996
25Tiffany Mitchell2012–2016
53Sheila Foster1978–1982

Player and coach awards

National player awards

National coach awards

Dawn Staley – 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024
Dawn Staley – 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024
Dawn Staley – 2020, 2024
Dawn Staley – 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024

Conference awards

* Denotes Co-Player / Co-Coach

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Dawn Michelle Staley is an American basketball Hall of Fame player and coach who is currently the head coach for the reigning champion South Carolina Gamecocks women's team. Staley won three Olympic gold medals with Team USA as a player and later was head coach of another U.S. gold-medal winning team. Staley was elected to carry the United States flag at the opening ceremony of the 2004 Summer Olympics. After playing point guard for the University of Virginia under Debbie Ryan, and winning the gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics, she played professionally in the American Basketball League and WNBA. In 2011, fans named Staley one of the top 15 players in WNBA history. Staley was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. She was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Carolina Gamecocks</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of the University of South Carolina

The South Carolina Gamecocks represent the University of South Carolina in the NCAA Division I.

The 2009–10 South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team represented the University of South Carolina in the 2009–10 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Gamecocks were coached by Dawn Staley, in her second year, and played their home games at Colonial Life Arena. They competed as members of the Southeastern Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014–15 South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team</span> Intercollegiate basketball season

The 2014–15 South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team represented the University of South Carolina during the 2014–15 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Gamecocks, led by seventh year head coach Dawn Staley, played their home games at the Colonial Life Arena and were members of the Southeastern Conference. The Gamecocks repeated as Southeastern Conference regular season Champions; however, it was shared with Tennessee this year. The 2014–15 Gamecocks won their first SEC Tournament Championship by beating Tennessee 62–46. USC received a #1 seed in the 2015 Women's NCAA Tournament where they advanced to the final four where they lost 66–65 to Notre Dame, as Tiffany Mitchell's desperation three in the final seconds came up short.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015–16 South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team</span> Intercollegiate basketball season

The 2015–16 South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team represented the University of South Carolina during the 2015–16 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Gamecocks, led by eighth year head coach Dawn Staley, played their home games at the Colonial Life Arena and were members of the Southeastern Conference. They finished the season 33–2, 16–0 in SEC play to win the SEC regular season and the tournament championship to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA women's tournament. They defeated Jacksonville and Kansas State in the first and second rounds before getting upset by Syracuse in the sweet sixteen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A'ja Wilson</span> American basketball player (born 1996)

A'ja Riyadh Wilson is an American professional basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Wilson played for the South Carolina Gamecocks in college, and helped lead the Gamecocks to their first NCAA Women's Basketball Championship in 2017, and won the NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player award. In 2018, she won a record third straight SEC Player of the Year award, leading South Carolina to a record fourth straight SEC Tournament Championship, becoming the all-time leading scorer in South Carolina women's basketball history, and was a consensus first-team All-American for the third consecutive season. Wilson swept all National Player of the Year awards as the best player in Women's College basketball for 2018. In the 2018 WNBA draft, she was drafted first overall by the Aces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016–17 South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team</span> Intercollegiate basketball season

The 2016–17 South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team represented the University of South Carolina during the 2016–17 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Gamecocks, led by ninth-year head coach Dawn Staley, played their home games at the Colonial Life Arena and were members of the Southeastern Conference. They finished the season 33–4, 11–2 in SEC play to win the SEC regular season and tournament championship to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA women's tournament. They defeated UNC Ashville and Arizona State in the first and second rounds, Quinnipiac in the sweet sixteen and Florida State in the elite eight to advance to their second final four in school history. In the national semifinal in Dallas they defeated Stanford and beat SEC rival Mississippi State in the final to win their first NCAA National Championship. A'ja Wilson was named the Most Outstanding Player in the National Championship Game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017–18 South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team</span> Intercollegiate basketball season

The 2017–18 South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team represented the University of South Carolina during the 2017–18 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Gamecocks, led by tenth year head coach Dawn Staley, played their home games at the Colonial Life Arena and were members of the Southeastern Conference. They finished the season 29–7, 12–4 in SEC play to finish in a tie for second place. They defeated Tennessee, Georgia and Mississippi State to win the SEC women's tournament to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA women's tournament. They defeated North Carolina A&T and Virginia in the first and second rounds, Buffalo in the sweet sixteen before losing to Connecticut in the elite eight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018–19 South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team</span> Intercollegiate basketball season

The 2018–19 South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team represented the University of South Carolina during the 2018–19 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Gamecocks, led by eleventh year head coach Dawn Staley, played their home games at the Colonial Life Arena and were members of the Southeastern Conference. They finished the season 23–10, 13–3 in SEC play to finish in second place. They lost in the quarterfinals of the SEC women's tournament to Arkansas. They received an at-large bid to the NCAA women's tournament where they defeated Belmont and Florida State in the first and second rounds before losing to Baylor in the Sweet Sixteen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019–20 South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team</span> Intercollegiate basketball season

The 2019–20 South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team represented the University of South Carolina during the 2019–20 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Gamecocks, led by twelfth-year head coach Dawn Staley, played their home games at the Colonial Life Arena and competed as members of the Southeastern Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aliyah Boston</span> American basketball player (born 2001)

Aliyah Boston is an American professional basketball power forward and center for the Indiana Fever of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was named 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year in a unanimous vote and the AP Rookie of the Year. She played college basketball at the University of South Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020–21 South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team</span> Intercollegiate basketball season

The 2020–21 South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team represented the University of South Carolina during the 2020–21 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Gamecocks, led by thirteenth-year head coach Dawn Staley, played their home games at Colonial Life Arena and competed as members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They finished the season 26–5, won the SEC tournament, and won a bid to the NCAA tournament where they advanced to the Final Four and lost to Stanford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020–21 Texas A&M Aggies women's basketball team</span> Intercollegiate basketball season

The 2020–21 Texas A&M Aggies women's basketball team represents Texas A&M University in the 2020–21 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The team's head coach is Gary Blair, in his eighteenth season at Texas A&M. The team plays their home games at the Reed Arena in College Station, Texas, and in its ninth season as a member of the Southeastern Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021–22 South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team</span> Intercollegiate basketball season

The 2021–22 South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team represented the University of South Carolina during the 2021–22 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Gamecocks were led by 14th-year head coach Dawn Staley and played their home games at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC. They competed as members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They finished the season 35–2, 15–1 in SEC play to win the regular season championship. They defeated Arkansas and Ole Miss to advance to the championship of the SEC Tournament where they lost to Kentucky. They received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed in the Greensboro region. They defeated Howard, Miami, North Carolina, Creighton and Louisville to advance to the championship game. There they defeated UConn for the team's second-ever national title.

The 2022 NCAA Division I women's basketball championship game was the final game of the 2022 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament. It determined the national champion for the 2021–22 season and was contested by the UConn Huskies and the South Carolina Gamecocks. The game was played on April 3, 2022, at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In the game, the Gamecocks jumped out to an 18-point lead early in the second quarter and held off UConn scoring runs to win the national championship, 64–49. South Carolina's Aliyah Boston was voted the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (MOP). This was UConn's first loss in the women's national championship game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022–23 South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team</span> Intercollegiate basketball season

The 2022–23 South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team represented the University of South Carolina during the 2022–23 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Gamecocks, led by 15th-year head coach Dawn Staley, played their home games at Colonial Life Arena and competed as members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Freshies (basketball)</span> Womens basketball recruiting class

The Freshies were the 2019 recruiting class of the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball program. They were the number one recruiting class of the 2019–20 NCAA Division I season and played together until 2023. Developed under head coach Dawn Staley, they helped South Carolina win the 2022 national championship and reach the Final Four in all three NCAA tournaments they competed in. The class also won four Southeastern Conference (SEC) regular season titles and three SEC tournament titles, finishing with a 129–9 record over four years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023–24 South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team</span> Intercollegiate basketball season

The 2023–24 South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team represented the University of South Carolina during the 2023–24 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Gamecocks, led by sixteenth-year head coach Dawn Staley, played their home games at Colonial Life Arena and competed as members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Staley won her 600th game as head coach on February 22, 2024, in 786 games . The season saw the Gamecocks not only capture their third national title in the history of the school's women's basketball program, but also become the 10th Division I women's basketball team to finish the season undefeated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 NCAA Division I women's basketball championship game</span> Womens basketball championship game

The 2024 NCAA Division I women's basketball championship game was the final game of the 2024 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament. It determined the champion of the 2023–24 NCAA Division I women's basketball season and was contested by the Iowa Hawkeyes from the Big Ten Conference and the South Carolina Gamecocks from the Southeastern Conference. The game was played on April 7, 2024, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. South Carolina defeated Iowa 87–75 to capture the third national championship in program history. Iowa finished as runner-up for the second season in a row.

The 1991 NCAA Division I women's basketball championship game was the final game of the 1991 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament. It determined the champion of the 1990–91 NCAA Division I women's basketball season and was contested by the Virginia Cavaliers and the Tennessee Lady Volunteers. The game was played on March 31, 1991, at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana. After leading 27–26 at halftime, No. 4 Tennessee needed an overtime period to defeat No. 2 Tennessee 70–67 to capture the NCAA national championship, and bring home the third NCAA championship in program history. Despite the runner-up finish, Virginia's Dawn Staley was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player (MOP). Staley is the only women's player to be named MOP while not playing for the championship team.

References

  1. ↑ "Colors – Communications and Public Affairs | University of South Carolina" . Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  2. ↑ "South Carolina Women's Basketball History".
  3. ↑ Feinberg, Doug (2020-03-17). "South Carolina finishes No. 1 in AP women's basketball poll". AP Wire. The AP. Associated Press. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
  4. ↑ Welch, David (6 February 2024). "Stadium Journey: Colonial Life Arena". Stadium Journey. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
  5. ↑ "South Carolina pounds UConn, 64–49, to take women's basketball championship". NBC News. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  6. ↑ "South Carolina Softball Coaching Staff". Gamecocksonline.com. University of South Carolina Athletics. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  7. ↑ "History" (PDF). University of South Carolina. Retrieved 10 Aug 2013.
  8. ↑ "South Carolina hosts Clemson Friday night in the Carolina Center's Grand Opening". Gamecocks Online. Cnet/CBS Interactive. 21 November 2002. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  9. ↑ "SOUTH CAROLINA ATHLETICS HISTORY". Gamecock.
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