South Carolina Basketball: Pair of former Gamecocks get new pro contracts

The South Carolina basketball program has more WNBA players than almost any other program in the country other than the UConn Huskies. Aja Wilson is arguably the league’s best player, and Aliyah Boston might be the league’s future best player.

This year, in the 2023 WNBA Draft, including Boston, Dawn Staley’s team had a record five players drafted.

However, there are more South Carolina basketball alums in the league than just the superstars and the youngsters. A large group of veteran players repped the garnet and black during their collegiate careers.

Two of those veterans just signed new professional contracts.

Guard Destanni Henderson and center Alaina Coates both re-upped with their current teams on new 7-day contracts.

After beginning her career with the Indiana Fever and starting the 2023 campaign with the club, Henderson signed a new deal with the Los Angeles Sparks early on in 2023, but things didn’t work out for the sharpshooter in LA. The Phoenix Mercury, however, swooped in and signed Henderson to a 7-day contract after a short free agency stint.

Now, the 5’7″ guard is on her second 7-day deal with the Mercury. She is part of the guard rotation in The Valley, and Henderson clearly provides something the Phoenix coaching staff likes off the bench.

Coates has bounced around the league since being drafted 2nd overall in the 2017 WNBA Draft. She began the 2023 season with the Atlanta Dream and then played a handful of games with Henderson’s current team, the Phoenix Mercury. After that didn’t work out, Coates was reunited with former national championship teammate Aja Wilson with the Las Vegas Aces and is now on her third 7-day contract with the team.

With Candace Parker injured for Vegas, Coates has provided some bench depth to the frontline that is just a bit thinner without the future Hall of Famer. Coates has not gotten tons of game action but has received rave reviews for her role at practices and as a veteran leader.