South Carolina sets program record in this key stat as 2026 WNBA season begins

A new WNBA season is upon us, as the 2026 regular season tips off on Friday night. There are several former South Carolina Gamecocks that will be part of the opening weekend festivities. 

In fact, the Gamecocks are setting a program record in a key metric of program success as the 2026 season begins. South Carolina has 12 former players suiting up to play in the WNBA this season, which is a program record. 

Coach Dawn Staley shouted them out ahead of Friday night's opener:

Here's a look at each of the 12 former Gamecocks, and what they're looking to accomplish this season.

C A'ja Wilson: Las Vegas Aces

A'ja Wilson is entering her ninth season in the WNBA, and she is already considered one of the greatest women's basketball players of all time. She is a four-time WNBA MVP, including winning the last four straight awards, as well as helping the Aces win WNBA titles in 2022, 2023 and 2025. 

This past season for Wilson was her most impressive yet. She became the first player in basketball history—including the NBA— to become her team's all-time leading scorer, win a championship, and be named Finals and WNBA MVP as well as being named defensive player of the year. The Aces rewarded the seven-time WNBA All-Star just last month with a new super max deal worth three years and $5 million.  

Wilson and the Aces will be looking to win another league title this year. 

C Aliyah Boston, Tyasha Harris: Indiana Fever

Wilson's supermax deal with the Aces was a record, until Aliyah Boston was given a four-year $6.3 million contract extension from Indiana, a record for any WNBA player in history. 

Boston was drafted No. 1 overall by the Fever in 2023, and she was named the league's Rookie of the Year that same season. The three-time WNBA MVP has averaged 14.5 points with 8.5 rebounds and three assists across her three seasons. With a healthy Caitlin Clark returning, the Fever are hoping to make a deep playoff run this year.   

Tyasha Harris is entering her seventh WNBA season, starting her career with the Dallas Wings, who drafted her No. 7 overall in 2020. She has spent six seasons with the Wings, spending two years with the Connecticut Sun in 2023-24. She has averaged 6.5 points with 1.3 rebounds a game in her career.  The Wings, which now have former UConn stars Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, have title hopes this season, and open the regular season against the Fever. 

G Allisha Gray, Te-Hina Paopao: Atlanta Dream

Allisha Gray is entering her ninth WNBA season, getting drafted No. 4 overall by the Dallas Wings. She spent six seasons with Dallas, winning the league's Rookie of the Year Award in 2017. Since joining the Atlanta Dream in 2023, she has been a three-time WNBA All-Star, averaging 13.9 points with 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists during her career.  

Te-Hina Paopao was drafted in the second round 18th overall by the Dream just last year. She averaged 5.8 points with 1.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists as a rookie last season. Along with the newly-acquired Angel Reese, the Dream looks like it could be a surprise playoff team this year. 

G Zia Cooke: Seattle Storm 

Zia Cooke is playing in her fourth WNBA season in 2026, starting her career with the Los Angeles Sparks, who drafted her 10th overall in the first round, from 2023-24. Last season, she went to Seattle where she'll play in 2026. Across her three seasons, she has played in 94 career games, averaging four points per contest. The Storm enter this season with a talented roster, featuring Natisha Hiedeman, rookie Flau'Jae Johnson, Jordan Hudson and Ezi Magbegor.  

F Sania Feagin: Los Angeles Sparks

Sania Feagin is coming off a rookie season with the Sparks, who drafted her No. 21 overall in the second round. She appeared in 16 games last season, averaging 1.3 points during her playing time. The Sparks have a talented roster in 2026, featuring star guards Kelsey Plum, Ariel Atkins and Rae Burrell with forwards Dearica Hamby and Cameron Brink. 

F Laeticia Amihere: Golden State Valkyries 

Laeticia Amihere was drafted in the first round of the 2023 WNBA Draft by the Atlanta Dream, where she spent the first two seasons of her career. But since her arrival to the newly-founded Golden State Valkyries last season, she had her best year yet, averaging 5.4 points with 4.3 rebounds while shooting 45.6% from the floor. The Valkyries are hoping to make it back to the playoffs this year, 

C Kamilla Cardoso: Chicago Sky 

Kamilla Cardoso was drafted third overall in the first round f the 2024 WNBA Draft by Chicago. She was named to the league's WNBA's All-Rookie Team in 2024, averaging 9.8 points with 7.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists that year. 

She is coming off her best season yet with the Sky, averaging 13.5 points with 8.5 boards and 2.5 assists last season. The Sky traded Angel Reese to the Dream this offseason, but have added Skylar Diggins, Rickea Jackson, Natasha Cloud, Jacy Sheldon and Azura Stevens to join veterans in Cardoso and Elizabeth Williams.

Three rookies will make their WNBA debuts

G Raven Johnson, Indiana Fever

Raven Johnson was South Carolina's highest-drafted player for the Gamecocks this year, going No. 10 overall to the Indiana Fever. Although she is expected to be a backup to Caitlin Clark, she has already impressed her teammates and coaches during the preseason. 

C Madina Okot, Atlanta Dream 

The Atlanta Dream drafted Okot No. 13 overall in the first round. She joins a talented roster in Atlanta featuring Angel Reese, as well as former Gamecocks Gray and Paopao. She could see plenty of playing time this season—in her WNBA preseason debut, she had her first career double-double. 

G Ta'Niya Latson, Los Angeles Sparks  

The Sparks drafted Latson 20th overall in the second round of last month's WNBA Draft. Although she is joining a star-studded roster, she is expected to see the floor some as a rookie this year. 

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