Gamecock alumni, basketball stars react to South Carolina’s 2023 WNBA Draft class
On April 10, the eyes of the women’s basketball world were locked in on South Carolina’s most recent WNBA Draft class.
During the draft and in the days that followed, a number of South Carolina alumni and basketball superstars took to social media to praise four of “The Freshies” and Victaria Saxton as they break into the professional ranks.
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Dawn Staley
Dawn Staley played an integral role in all five draftees’ careers, from the recruiting trail to national championship victories. Staley’s players have commended her leadership and support throughout their careers.
This year’s WNBA Draft gave Staley the opportunity to give similar praise in return.
A’ja Wilson
A’ja Wilson was not planning on staying up very late on draft night. The former Gamecock women’s basketball star and current WNBA MVP said, “imma be sleep” when her team, the Las Vegas Aces, would make their lone selection of the night with the draft’s final pick.
Wilson stayed up through the draft, and in the process, saw all five South Carolina players get drafted. On Twitter, she both welcomed them to the league and gave credit to Dawn Staley for helping them get there.
Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner
Indianapolis’ two major sports teams were also excited that Aliyah Boston was selected No. 1 overall. Both the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts and NBA’s Indiana Pacers created “welcome” posts on Twitter for the Fever rookie.
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The Pacers also posted another video of its two stars, Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner, welcoming Boston to the city.
Tamika Catchings
Boston was also welcomed to the league by Tamika Catchings, one of the most decorated players in WNBA history. Catchings also spent the entirety of her 15-year career with the Fever, the team that drafted Boston with the first pick.
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Catchings expressed her excitement for Boston’s selection with a short and sweet tweet: “Love our @IndianaFever #1 pick @aa_boston!!!! Letssss get it!!!!!!”
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Magic Johnson
Catchings was not the only basketball legend to show his or her excitement for Gamecock in this year’s draft. Magic Johnson, the former Los Angeles Lakers superstar and current part-owner of the Los Angeles Sparks, commented on Zia Cooke’s winning mentality and all-around quality in a tweet shortly after she was taken No. 10 pick.
Nneka Ogunbowale
One of Cooke’s new teammates, Nneka Ogwumike, congratulated the former South Carolina guard in more ways than one. Not only did she say that the Sparks “got a GREAT one” on Twitter, but she also embraced Cooke after her selection.
Andraya Carter
During the draft, ESPN reporter and former Tennessee women’s basketball alumnus Andraya Carter offered her perspective on some of South Carolina’s draftees as the draft was ongoing.
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She, along with fellow ESPN reporter Angela Gray, tweeted that Laeticia Amihere could be the steal of the draft after going No. 8 overall to the Atlanta Dream.
Carter was also a big fan of the Sparks’ selection of Cooke, describing her as an “incredible fit” for the team.
Allisha Gray
A former No. 1 overall pick and South Carolina women’s basketball player, Allisha Gray extended praise to Brea Beal, whose defensive efforts put her in the national spotlight, by saying she “always will be on the Brea Beal train.”
