Zia Cooke becomes third South Carolina player selected in WNBA Draft, heading to Los Angeles Sparks

South Carolina is on a roll at the 2023 WNBA Draft, with their third player being selected. Zia Cooke joins Aliyah Boston and Laeticia Amihere, being picked No. 10 overall by the Los Angeles Sparks. An incredible run for head coach Dawn Staley‘s program as they are shining in New York City.

In 37 games this season with South Carolina, Cooke averaged 15.4 points per game. She finished as the team’s leading scorer despite the stacked roster. A true scoring threat and a special player will be making their way out to Los Angeles.

There is a long list of achievements for Cooke, being a three-time All-NCAA Tournament team member. None mean as much as the 2022 award after the Gamecocks were named national champions. And with Los Angeles being a place where championships are the expectation, Cooke will be a nice addition.

Entering a new era with head coach Curt Miller, Cooke is expected to slot in nicely with the Sparks. Her scoring will be greatly welcomed after Los Angeles finished 10th in points per game. A fellow former college star, Nneka Ogwumike, spent last year as the leading scorer. Now, Ogwumike will be getting a new scoring partner in crime with Cooke coming to town.

Amihere, Boston joins Cooke as WNBA first-round picks

Boston was the first person to hear her name called on Monday night, South Carolina or not. She will be heading to Indiana to play for the fever. One of the all-time women’s college basketball greats, Boston was the no doubt first-overall pick.

The list of accomplishments for Boston goes on forever, beginning with her national championship win during the 2022 NCAA Tournament. Alongside Amihere and Cooke, Boston helped South Carolina dominate throughout the entire season, losing just two games. Everything ended with the nets coming back home with the duo to Columbia.

Amihere will be staying close by to South Carolina, heading to Atlanta to play for the Dream. In what has been a long playoff drought for the franchise, two first-round picks will certainly help. Adding somebody such as Amihere is a positive step forward.

In 36 games for the Gamecocks this season, Amihere averaged 7.1 points and 3.4 points per game. A good presence down low will be heading to Atlanta, as Amihere shot 53% from inside the arc. She played all four years of her college career with South Carolina.