THE GAMECOCKS ARE TAKING OVER THE WNBA: From All-Star Honors to Roster Shakeups and Rising Stardom, Former South Carolina Legends Are Leaving Their Mark on Every Inch of the League—A Powerful Surge of Garnet and Black Excellence That’s Reshaping the Narrative of Women’s Professional Basketball

THE GAMECOCKS ARE TAKING OVER THE WNBA: From All-Star Honors to Roster Shakeups and Rising Stardom, Former South Carolina Legends Are Leaving Their Mark on Every Inch of the League—A Powerful Surge of Garnet and Black Excellence That’s Reshaping the Narrative of Women’s Professional Basketball

 

In a season that has captivated fans coast to coast, former University of South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball players are dominating headlines in the WNBA like never before. From All-Star selections and impactful trades to rising stars proving their worth, it’s clear that the Gamecock legacy—carefully built under the brilliant leadership of Coach Dawn Staley—is not just surviving in the professional arena… it’s thriving, expanding, and evolving with force.

 

The 2025 WNBA season is being increasingly colored by the garnet and black, and fans of the South Carolina Gamecocks have every reason to puff out their chests with pride. With multiple Gamecock alumni making All-Star appearances, influencing team chemistry, and even leading franchises, the echoes of South Carolina’s dynasty are reverberating across every WNBA arena.

 

A’ja Wilson: The Queen of Consistency and Dominance

 

Let’s start with the face of this Gamecock revolution—A’ja Wilson, a name synonymous with dominance. A perennial All-Star and a two-time WNBA MVP, Wilson was once again selected to the 2025 WNBA All-Star roster, solidifying her position among the league’s elite. Representing the Las Vegas Aces, Wilson has been nothing short of unstoppable, averaging a double-double on the season and leading her team in scoring, rebounds, and blocked shots.

 

What makes Wilson’s run even more impressive is her evolution. No longer just the dominant post player she was coming out of college, she’s added a midrange shot, sharpened her playmaking, and taken on more vocal leadership. Her All-Star selection was not only expected—it was celebrated by the entire Gamecock community.

 

Aliyah Boston: From Rookie of the Year to WNBA Force

 

Meanwhile, Aliyah Boston, the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year, continues her meteoric rise. Playing for the Indiana Fever, Boston has emerged as one of the league’s most reliable two-way players. Her basketball IQ, elite footwork, and physical strength have transformed Indiana’s frontcourt, and she has become the franchise cornerstone the team desperately needed.

 

Boston earned her first WNBA All-Star nod this season, a testament to her rapid growth and the sky-high ceiling she continues to rise toward. Her presence in the All-Star Game alongside Wilson brought back fond memories for Gamecock fans—who once watched the two dominate NCAA courts under Dawn Staley’s guidance.

 

Roster Moves and Fresh Gamecock Faces

 

But the impact doesn’t stop with the big names.

 

This year has also seen key roster moves involving other Gamecock alums. Zia Cooke, now playing for the Los Angeles Sparks, has started to carve out a larger role in the rotation. After initially being used sparingly, Cooke’s hustle, defensive tenacity, and ability to hit timely shots have made her a valuable piece in LA’s backcourt.

 

In Chicago, Kamilla Cardoso—fresh off a championship run with South Carolina—was drafted in the first round and is already making her presence known. Though still adjusting to the speed and physicality of the league, her shot-blocking and rebounding prowess have shown flashes of what’s to come. She’s one of the most-watched rookies in the 2025 class.

 

Elsewhere, Tyasha Harris and Mikiah Herbert Harrigan have found new homes via mid-season trades, signaling that WNBA franchises still believe in their potential and skillsets. Harris, now with the Connecticut Sun, has been a solid backup point guard with flashes of leadership, while Harrigan adds depth and athleticism to a young rebuilding team.

 

A Legacy Forged in Columbia Now Flourishing Nationwide

 

The shared thread? Every single one of these athletes came through South Carolina’s powerhouse program—built brick by brick by Dawn Staley—and now they’re thriving in the league, not just as players, but as leaders, symbols of excellence, and inspirations for the next generation of athletes.

 

What’s perhaps most telling is the culture they’re carrying into the WNBA. Every former Gamecock seems to bring with them an aura of confidence, teamwork, and composure, reflective of the “Family First, Defense Always, We Not Me” values instilled at USC.

 

Staley herself recently commented during a media scrum, “It’s one thing to win in college, but to see my girls out there in the W, succeeding, leading, lifting teams—that’s what legacy looks like.”

 

Gamecock Nation Watching with Pride

 

On social media, #GamecocksInTheW is trending weekly. Fans in Columbia are following WNBA games like never before. Jersey sales for Wilson, Boston, and Cooke are booming, and WNBA viewership in South Carolina has spiked dramatically this season.

 

From Las Vegas to Indiana, Chicago to Los Angeles, the impact of the South Carolina Gamecocks program is unmistakable.

 

This isn’t a fluke. It’s not a moment. It’s a movement—one that’s changing the way the WNBA plays, looks, and leads.

 

And if this season is any indication, the Gamecock wave isn’t cresting anytime soon. It’s only beginning.