The South Carolina Gamecocks have built a reputation for developing elite talent, and it shows in the WNBA league today. Three former Gamecocks, A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, and Allisha Gray, made ESPN’s top 25 WNBA players list for 2024, proving this program’s dominance.
But they’re not the only ones who have left their mark. Here are five of the most successful South Carolina players in WNBA history, from MVPs to champions.
Five Most Successful South Carolina Players in WNBA History
1. A’ja Wilson
If there’s one WNBA star every basketball fan knows, it’s Wilson. At the top of ESPN’s list, The Las Vegas Aces star has already built a Hall of Fame-worthy career, winning two WNBA championships, two league MVP awards, and multiple Defensive Player of the Year honors. She’s also a six-time All-Star and has won USA Basketball’s Female Athlete of the Year three times.
Before she became one of the best in the WNBA, Wilson dominated at South Carolina. She won three straight SEC Player of the Year awards and led the Gamecocks to four consecutive SEC Tournament titles. She was the school’s all-time leading scorer by the time she left. It’s no surprise she was the first overall pick in 2018.
2. Aliyah Boston
Boston is one of the WNBA’s brightest young stars. The first pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft made an immediate impact, winning Rookie of the Year and earning All-Star honors in her first season. She followed that up with another All-Star selection in 2024, proving she’s here to stay.
At South Carolina, Boston led the Gamecocks to their second national championship in 2022 and was named the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. She was a dominant force in college and is now bringing that same energy to the WNBA.
3. Allisha Gray
Gray has been a reliable scorer since entering the WNBA in 2017. The Dallas Wings selected her with the fourth overall pick, and she quickly became a key contributor. A WNBA All-Star and Three-Point Shootout champion, Gray has cemented herself as one of the league’s most versatile guards.
Before making it to the pros, Gray played a huge role in South Carolina’s 2017 NCAA championship run. She decided to forgo her final year of eligibility to enter the WNBA, which paid off.
4. Tiffany Mitchell
Tiffany Mitchell made a name for herself as an elite scorer at South Carolina and brought that same skill set to the WNBA. The Indiana Fever drafted her in 2016, and she quickly became one of their go-to offensive players.
Mitchell was a two-time SEC Player of the Year and an All-American during college. Her aggressive playing style and ability to score in bunches made her one of South Carolina’s all-time greats.
5. Alaina Coates
Alaina Coates was a dominant force in college, earning multiple All-SEC honors and helping South Carolina win the 2017 NCAA championship. That success carried over to the WNBA, where she was drafted second overall by the Chicago Sky.
While injuries slowed her career early on, Coates fought back and became a WNBA champion in 2023. Her journey proves that South Carolina players don’t just make it to the WNBA; they make history.