Zia Cooke

Personal Life

Entering the 2022-2023 season, Zia Cooke is one of the most decorated players in South Carolina history. Originally from Toledo (Ohio) Rogers High School, Cooke is a two-time honorable mention All-American and a two-time All-SEC selection. She was also named to the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament team twice in 2021 and 2022 helping the Gamecocks win the 2022 national title over the UConn Huskies. Cooke scored eight of the team’s first 17 points against UConn in the title game. Cooke is majoring in communications. She is the daughter of Michelle and Stratman Cooke. Coming out of high school, she was ranked as the No. 4 recruit in the country. Cooke has also won a pair of gold medals with USA Basketball. Cooke has also been active on the NIL front, earning major deals with companies all over the country. "It just shows that we can do a lot of things that a lot of people say we can't do," she told CBS News. "To see all the girls on there for the NIL, and I think it was just one boy, shows that we can do literally everything they can do. It's a business and it's super effective for women and men."