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USC Gamecocks - The Offseason 2025

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GamecockFam said:
South Carolina is becoming a Nike school and it looks like they want to feature our women's basketball program based on the terms of the deal!

247sports.com

Nike's plans for South Carolina uniforms, performance bonuses

It's almost a year away, but Nike has already made plans for South Carolina's football and women's basketball uniforms.
247sports.com 247sports.com
Expand ...
Good. Under armour makes some good products, but they are trash when it comes to school uniforms and apparel.

Burgundy and Black isn't the greatest combo for Nike, but better than UA
 
triaddukefan said:
Good. Under armour makes some good products, but they are trash when it comes to school uniforms and apparel.

Burgundy and Black isn't the greatest combo for Nike, but better than UA
Expand ...
Nike schools have a recruiting advantage too, IMO. Kids want to wear Nike.
 
ucbart said:
Nike schools have a recruiting advantage too, IMO. Kids want to wear Nike.
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I also get the impression, even though it isn't explicitly stated, that we will be the only university wearing A'ja's shoe brand as part of the deal. It feels like Nike is treating it like the Jordan brand for women's basketball.
 
I have a few questions for our Gamecock Boneyard brothers and sisters.

To set the table, I went to the NCAA regional in Greenville two years ago and to last year's FF in Tampa, and watched the Gamecocks throughout their pregame warm-up rituals for all four games. In each instance when the pregame drills were winding down, the Gamecock players slowly exited the court in small groups of 2-3 players, spaced out in about 15-20 second intervals. This seemingly was done on purpose, giving the players the opportunity to wave to their fans and for the fans to cheer and applaud back at them as they strolled off the court. Every South Carolina participated in this.

South Carolina was the only team to act in this manner. The other seven teams in Greenville, and the three in Tampa, all exited the court together each time, jogging off the court as a single squad.

My first question is: do the Gamecocks do this for every home game or just games played at neutral sites? It must be pretty amazing for a SC recruit and their families to watch 18,000 fans cheer for the players over the course of several minutes, and no doubt could be a selling point to some. I can imagine a Gamecock coach or recruiting coordinator telling a SC prospect: you will not get this kind of adulation anywhere else on the planet.

My second question is similar to the first: do the Gamecocks do this for away games? I don't recall South Carolina doing this when visiting UConn in 2017 and 2019 (the last time I saw them in-person in Connecticut). And even though the Gamecock Nation travels very well, I imagine the players would face a more tepid response in a hostile environment - say at LSU or at Tennessee.

Is there a back story behind this ritual? Any insight would be appreciated!
 
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GamecockFam said:
South Carolina is becoming a Nike school and it looks like they want to feature our women's basketball program based on the terms of the deal!

247sports.com

Nike's plans for South Carolina uniforms, performance bonuses

It's almost a year away, but Nike has already made plans for South Carolina's football and women's basketball uniforms.
247sports.com 247sports.com
Expand ...
I’m happy that this should put an end to a lot of the complaining and grousing over UA/Nike and takes that recruiting excuse off the table. I hope people are right and this results in our recruitment reaching a higher level across all sports. I need Nike to stay away from the baseball/softball home pinstripe unis.
YKCornelius said:
I have a few questions for our Gamecock Boneyard brothers and sisters.

To set the table, I went to the NCAA regional in Greenville two years ago and to last year's FF in Tampa, and watched the Gamecocks throughout their pregame warm-up rituals for all four games. In each instance when the pregame drills were winding down, the Gamecock players slowly exited the court in small groups of 2-3 players, spaced out in about 15-20 second intervals. This seemingly was done on purpose, giving the players the opportunity to wave to their fans and for the fans to cheer and applaud back at them as they strolled off the court. Every South Carolina participated in this.

South Carolina was the only team to act in this manner. The other seven teams in Greenville, and the three in Tampa, all exited the court together each time, jogging off the court as a single squad.

My first question is: do the Gamecocks do this for every home game or just games played at neutral sites? It must be pretty amazing for a SC recruit and their families to watch 18,000 fans cheer for the players over the course of several minutes, and no doubt could be a selling point to some. I can imagine a Gamecock coach or recruiting coordinator telling a SC prospect: you will not get this kind of adulation anywhere else on the planet.
Expand ...
I can answer about home games. Yes, this is how they leave pregame warm ups with the crowd giving each player, or combo of players, an ovation as they walk the length of the court and head back to the LR. I’ve never thought of it as an organized thing (and I assumed this was normal), just some players deciding to stay out longer to get extra shots in.
 
JDuro said:
. . ..

I can answer about home games. Yes, this is how they leave pregame warm ups with the crowd giving each player, or combo of players, an ovation as they walk the length of the court and head back to the LR. I’ve never thought of it as an organized thing (and I assumed this was normal), just some players deciding to stay out longer to get extra shots in.
Expand ...
Parents often walk their children to line the exits at this time and postgame to cheer for their heroes at home and Greenville. ( I have heard it happens at Clempsun too but cannot confirm.) The players give the (mostly young)) girls the thrill of a high five and a word or two as they pass. This couldn’t happen in a hall full of drunk Cajuns in Baton Rouge or hillbilly corn bibers on Rockytop.

 
GamecockFam said:
South Carolina is becoming a Nike school and it looks like they want to feature our women's basketball program based on the terms of the deal!

247sports.com

Nike's plans for South Carolina uniforms, performance bonuses

It's almost a year away, but Nike has already made plans for South Carolina's football and women's basketball uniforms.
247sports.com 247sports.com
Expand ...
This is GREAT news! I can't state enough how big this is for the entire athletic department and especially for WBB.
 
YKCornelius said:
I have a few questions for our Gamecock Boneyard brothers and sisters.

To set the table, I went to the NCAA regional in Greenville two years ago and to last year's FF in Tampa, and watched the Gamecocks throughout their pregame warm-up rituals for all four games. In each instance when the pregame drills were winding down, the Gamecock players slowly exited the court in small groups of 2-3 players, spaced out in about 15-20 second intervals. This seemingly was done on purpose, giving the players the opportunity to wave to their fans and for the fans to cheer and applaud back at them as they strolled off the court. Every South Carolina participated in this.

South Carolina was the only team to act in this manner. The other seven teams in Greenville, and the three in Tampa, all exited the court together each time, jogging off the court as a single squad.

My first question is: do the Gamecocks do this for every home game or just games played at neutral sites? It must be pretty amazing for a SC recruit and their families to watch 18,000 fans cheer for the players over the course of several minutes, and no doubt could be a selling point to some. I can imagine a Gamecock coach or recruiting coordinator telling a SC prospect: you will not get this kind of adulation anywhere else on the planet.

My second question is similar to the first: do the Gamecocks do this for away games? I don't recall South Carolina doing this when visiting UConn in 2017 and 2019 (the last time I saw them in-person in Connecticut). And even though the Gamecock Nation travels very well, I imagine the players would face a more tepid response in a hostile environment - say at LSU or at Tennessee.

Is there a back story behind this ritual? Any insight would be appreciated!
Expand ...
Yes, they do that at every game.
 
YKCornelius said:
I have a few questions for our Gamecock Boneyard brothers and sisters.

To set the table, I went to the NCAA regional in Greenville two years ago and to last year's FF in Tampa, and watched the Gamecocks throughout their pregame warm-up rituals for all four games. In each instance when the pregame drills were winding down, the Gamecock players slowly exited the court in small groups of 2-3 players, spaced out in about 15-20 second intervals. This seemingly was done on purpose, giving the players the opportunity to wave to their fans and for the fans to cheer and applaud back at them as they strolled off the court. Every South Carolina participated in this.

South Carolina was the only team to act in this manner. The other seven teams in Greenville, and the three in Tampa, all exited the court together each time, jogging off the court as a single squad.

My first question is: do the Gamecocks do this for every home game or just games played at neutral sites? It must be pretty amazing for a SC recruit and their families to watch 18,000 fans cheer for the players over the course of several minutes, and no doubt could be a selling point to some. I can imagine a Gamecock coach or recruiting coordinator telling a SC prospect: you will not get this kind of adulation anywhere else on the planet.

My second question is similar to the first: do the Gamecocks do this for away games? I don't recall South Carolina doing this when visiting UConn in 2017 and 2019 (the last time I saw them in-person in Connecticut). And even though the Gamecock Nation travels very well, I imagine the players would face a more tepid response in a hostile environment - say at LSU or at Tennessee.

Is there a back story behind this ritual? Any insight would be appreciated!
Expand ...
This really started pretty innocently back when The Freshies(Aliyah’s class) first started. They do certain drills as a group (guards/Forwards/etc). The Fs finish first and jog off the court into the locker room. As Aliyah jogged off she got a round of applause. As Zia jogged off first when the guards finished she got a loud round and it just blossomed from there. Now they leave in small groups of 2 or 3 and they each get a loud round of applause. It’s just a great interaction between the fans and players. You can tell the players enjoy it because when it happens for the first time you get a big smile.
 
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Kaeli Wynn and Emily McDonald are the recruits visiting USC this weekend.

IMG_9030.jpeg
IMG_9031.jpeg
 
Gamecockfan77 said:
2026 class seems like it's a real struggle.
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Seems like all the talent is on the West coast or abroad. I think it is likely that we get Oliviyah Edwards, though Tennessee may play spoiler. Other than that, I don't have many good feelings. There are a few though, like Sitaya Fagan, which could help turn things around, too.

The most disconcerting thing to me is that we desperately need multiple guards in this class and I don't see any taking a serious look at us.
 
GamecockFam said:
Seems like all the talent is on the West coast or abroad. I think it is likely that we get Oliviyah Edwards, though Tennessee may play spoiler. Other than that, I don't have many good feelings. There are a few though, like Sitaya Fagan, which could help turn things around, too.

The most disconcerting thing to me is that we desperately need multiple guards in this class and I don't see any taking a serious look at us.
Expand ...
Southern Cal came east and swiped Hall from this side… so I’d really like to see us snag Edwards and Robinson off the West Coast, just to keep it fun. The Trojans are getting way too powerful out there.
 
.-.
Was looking at my All Staley team again and have the following:

Ty Harris / Destanni Henderson
Tiffany Mitchell / Zia Cooke / Pao
Allisha Gray / Kaela Davis /
A'ja Wilson / Herbert-Harrigan / Aleigha Welch
Aliyah Boston / Kamilla Cardoso / Coates

Thoughts:

1) Pao has definitely worked herself onto to my top 13.
2) Kaela Davis i think is the best combination of stopper/offense. I'm not sure Beal or Hall quite has creds to be included.
3) that third PG spot is really up for grabs. Sutton and Walker and Raven are appealing in their own ways, but don't quite feel like omissions either.
4) putting Welch and Coates on even this squad makes me worry about court balance.
5) on a related point, Kitts is pretty close in my mind to passing Welch which I didn't know about myself.
6) Kelsey Bone and Te'a Cooper were not considered
7) Could Tessa make a leap to get on here?
8) Edwards probably be another to make a run at a F spot.
9) Latson could be a really interesting case
10). I was seriously tempted to take Feagin over Coates. I didn't really consider Amihere, all of which does not surprise me.
 
Last edited:
Gamecockfan77 said:
Was looking at my All Staley team again and have the following:

Ty Harris / Destanni Henderson
Tiffany Mitchell / Zia Cooke / Pao
Allisha Gray / Kaela Davis /
A'ja Wilson / Herbert-Harrigan / Aleigha Welch
Aaliyah Boston / Kamilla Cardoso / Coates

Thoughts:

1) Pao has definitely worked herself onto to my top 13.
2) Kaela Davis i think is the best combination of stopper/offense. I'm not sure Beal or Hall quite has creds to be included.
3) that third PG spot is really up for grabs. Sutton and Walker and Raven are appealing in their own ways, but don't quite feel like omissions either.
4) putting Welch and Coates on even this squad makes me worry about court balance.
5) on a related point, Kitts is pretty close in my mind to passing Welch which I didn't know about myself.
6) Kelsey Bone and Te'a Cooper were not considered
7) Could Tessa make a leap to get on here?
8) Edwards probably be another to make a run at a F spot.
9) Latson could be a really interesting case
10). I was seriously tempted to take Feagin over Coates. I didn't really consider Amihere, all of which does not surprise me.
Expand ...
Those 5 starters would probably be one of the best starting 5 in the WNBA this season -- three All-WNBA caliber players (two on the MVP short list) with a competent PG. SG would be the weak link. Honestly Paopao may make a better starter than Tiff with that lineup -- her 3 point shot would help keep defenses from doubling Wilson or Boston.
 
Gamecockfan77 said:
Was looking at my All Staley team again and have the following:

Ty Harris / Destanni Henderson
Tiffany Mitchell / Zia Cooke / Pao
Allisha Gray / Kaela Davis /
A'ja Wilson / Herbert-Harrigan / Aleigha Welch
Aliyah Boston / Kamilla Cardoso / Coates

Thoughts:

1) Pao has definitely worked herself onto to my top 13.
2) Kaela Davis i think is the best combination of stopper/offense. I'm not sure Beal or Hall quite has creds to be included.
3) that third PG spot is really up for grabs. Sutton and Walker and Raven are appealing in their own ways, but don't quite feel like omissions either.
4) putting Welch and Coates on even this squad makes me worry about court balance.
5) on a related point, Kitts is pretty close in my mind to passing Welch which I didn't know about myself.
6) Kelsey Bone and Te'a Cooper were not considered
7) Could Tessa make a leap to get on here?
8) Edwards probably be another to make a run at a F spot.
9) Latson could be a really interesting case
10). I was seriously tempted to take Feagin over Coates. I didn't really consider Amihere, all of which does not surprise me.
Expand ...
PG: Agree with Ty and Destanni
Honorable mentions to Khadijah Sessions and La’Keisha Sutton.

SG: Tiffany Mitchell, Cooke, Pao Pao
Cooke and TPP are neck and neck but I’ll give slight edge to Zia. Four very good seasons and part of one NC team and robbed of a possible second by COVID.
Tiff is a no brainer. She was phenomenal in her time at USC. As to Gamecock Fam’s point about 3 pt shooting, Mitchell was a very good shooter from the arc while at USC, particularly her first 3 seasons. Her numbers dipped her senior season, no doubt a result on the gym rat being laid up that off season after suffering a lower leg hairline fracture/surgery which I believe she suffered training for the Pan Am games. She got off to a slow start that season as a result. Here are her 3 pt numbers:
IMG_9051.jpeg


Wing: Allisha Gray, Brea Beal. (HM: Bree Hall)
Allisha another no brainer. Tremendous her one season. In light of current transfer rules, I’ll be forever pissed she had to sit out ‘15-‘16 and we didn’t get to see her share the court with Tiff. Hope her jersey gets retired.
Brea Beal makes my list. She was effective all 4 yrs she played as a starter, particularly on D. Hall makes my honorable mention for much the same reasons. Kaela is not on my list. She was mostly inconsistent her one season, finally showing up at the end, albeit in a very big way at the end after Alaina went down, to help win NC #1. She should have come back and played out her eligibility which she recently said she wishes she had.

Forward: A’ja, Aleighsa, Kiki
I give the edge to Lisa over Kiki. Lisa was very good all 4 yrs she played. Possibly the most intelligent and greatest leader to ever wear the G & B for Dawn. She was a great mentor for A’ja the one season they were together - probably for Alaina too. Kiki needed a couple seasons to become how good she became as an upperclassmen, though I recall her playing very well in the post season those first two years. I miss her fantastic mid range to the arc shooting ability tremendously. Joyce already very close to jumping on to this list in the spot behind AW.

Post: Boston, Cardoso, Coates
AB/KC - No brainers. I think we forget how great Alaina was her four years as a Gamecock. 12 and 8 as a frosh coming off the bench. Feagin is nowhere near this list for me with her one pretty good season as a starter with numbers that pale next to AC’s. In fact I would put Ashlyn over Sania.
 
Gamecockfan77 said:
Was looking at my All Staley team again and have the following:

Ty Harris / Destanni Henderson
Tiffany Mitchell / Zia Cooke / Pao
Allisha Gray / Kaela Davis /
A'ja Wilson / Herbert-Harrigan / Aleigha Welch
Aaliyah Boston / Kamilla Cardoso / Coates

Thoughts:

1) Pao has definitely worked herself onto to my top 13.
2) Kaela Davis i think is the best combination of stopper/offense. I'm not sure Beal or Hall quite has creds to be included.
3) that third PG spot is really up for grabs. Sutton and Walker and Raven are appealing in their own ways, but don't quite feel like omissions either.
4) putting Welch and Coates on even this squad makes me worry about court balance.
5) on a related point, Kitts is pretty close in my mind to passing Welch which I didn't know about myself.
6) Kelsey Bone and Te'a Cooper were not considered
7) Could Tessa make a leap to get on here?
8) Edwards probably be another to make a run at a F spot.
9) Latson could be a really interesting case
10). I was seriously tempted to take Feagin over Coates. I didn't really consider Amihere, all of which does not surprise me.
Expand ...
JDuro said:
PG: Agree with Ty and Destanni
Honorable mentions to Khadijah Sessions and La’Keisha Sutton.

SG: Tiffany Mitchell, Cooke, Pao Pao
Cooke and TPP are neck and neck but I’ll give slight edge to Zia. Four very good seasons and part of one NC team and robbed of a possible second by COVID.
Tiff is a no brainer. She was phenomenal in her time at USC. As to Gamecock Fam’s point about 3 pt shooting, Mitchell was a very good shooter from the arc while at USC, particularly her first 3 seasons. Her numbers dipped her senior season, no doubt a result on the gym rat being laid up that off season after suffering a lower leg hairline fracture/surgery which I believe she suffered training for the Pan Am games. She got off to a slow start that season as a result. Here are her 3 pt numbers:
View attachment 111744

Wing: Allisha Gray, Brea Beal. (HM: Bree Hall)
Allisha another no brainer. Tremendous her one season. In light of current transfer rules, I’ll be forever pissed she had to sit out ‘15-‘16 and we didn’t get to see her share the court with Tiff. Hope her jersey gets retired.
Brea Beal makes my list. She was effective all 4 yrs she played as a starter, particularly on D. Hall makes my honorable mention for much the same reasons. Kaela is not on my list. She was mostly inconsistent her one season, finally showing up at the end, albeit in a very big way at the end after Alaina went down, to help win NC #1. She should have come back and played out her eligibility which she recently said she wishes she had.

Forward: A’ja, Aleighsa, Kiki
I give the edge to Lisa over Kiki. Lisa was very good all 4 yrs she played. Possibly the most intelligent and greatest leader to ever wear the G & B for Dawn. She was a great mentor for A’ja the one season they were together - probably for Alaina too. Kiki needed a couple seasons to become how good she became as an upperclassmen, though I recall her playing very well in the post season those first two years. I miss her fantastic mid range to the arc shooting ability tremendously. Joyce already very close to jumping on to this list in the spot behind AW.

Post: Boston, Cardoso, Coates
AB/KC - No brainers. I think we forget how great Alaina was her four years as a Gamecock. 12 and 8 as a frosh coming off the bench. Feagin is nowhere near this list for me with her one pretty good season as a starter with numbers that pale next to AC’s. In fact I would put Ashlyn over Sania.
Expand ...
I would put Chloe over Sania easily. In fact, Chloe is among the 15 regardless of position
 
JDuro said:
PG: Agree with Ty and Destanni
Honorable mentions to Khadijah Sessions and La’Keisha Sutton.

SG: Tiffany Mitchell, Cooke, Pao Pao
Cooke and TPP are neck and neck but I’ll give slight edge to Zia. Four very good seasons and part of one NC team and robbed of a possible second by COVID.
Tiff is a no brainer. She was phenomenal in her time at USC. As to Gamecock Fam’s point about 3 pt shooting, Mitchell was a very good shooter from the arc while at USC, particularly her first 3 seasons. Her numbers dipped her senior season, no doubt a result on the gym rat being laid up that off season after suffering a lower leg hairline fracture/surgery which I believe she suffered training for the Pan Am games. She got off to a slow start that season as a result. Here are her 3 pt numbers:
View attachment 111744

Wing: Allisha Gray, Brea Beal. (HM: Bree Hall)
Allisha another no brainer. Tremendous her one season. In light of current transfer rules, I’ll be forever pissed she had to sit out ‘15-‘16 and we didn’t get to see her share the court with Tiff. Hope her jersey gets retired.
Brea Beal makes my list. She was effective all 4 yrs she played as a starter, particularly on D. Hall makes my honorable mention for much the same reasons. Kaela is not on my list. She was mostly inconsistent her one season, finally showing up at the end, albeit in a very big way at the end after Alaina went down, to help win NC #1. She should have come back and played out her eligibility which she recently said she wishes she had.

Forward: A’ja, Aleighsa, Kiki
I give the edge to Lisa over Kiki. Lisa was very good all 4 yrs she played. Possibly the most intelligent and greatest leader to ever wear the G & B for Dawn. She was a great mentor for A’ja the one season they were together - probably for Alaina too. Kiki needed a couple seasons to become how good she became as an upperclassmen, though I recall her playing very well in the post season those first two years. I miss her fantastic mid range to the arc shooting ability tremendously. Joyce already very close to jumping on to this list in the spot behind AW.

Post: Boston, Cardoso, Coates
AB/KC - No brainers. I think we forget how great Alaina was her four years as a Gamecock. 12 and 8 as a frosh coming off the bench. Feagin is nowhere near this list for me with her one pretty good season as a starter with numbers that pale next to AC’s. In fact I would put Ashlyn over Sania.
Expand ...
Ha! My comment about Paopao was just about making a practical lineup in the WNBA today and had nothing to do with their career stats at USC.
 
.-.
GamecockFam said:
Ha! My comment about Paopao was just about making a practical lineup in the WNBA today and had nothing to do with their career stats at USC.
Expand ...
Well, Tehina started 15 wnba games this year as a rookie and was a valuable player off the bench on a team with two talented outside shooters while maintaining a 40% 3 point shooting percentage. So, she is showing potential to be a solid pro.
 
I'm hearing lots of good chatter about off-season progress with our players -- supposedly it is was one of the better summers in recent memory with very noticeable skill development for many players. I'm also hearing good things about our two freshman.
 
GamecockFam said:
I'm hearing lots of good chatter about off-season progress with our players -- supposedly it is was one of the better summers in recent memory with very noticeable skill development for many players. I'm also hearing good things about our two freshman.
Expand ...
Need Raven to get to respectable three point shooting levels. I’m not real confident of that.

I think we’ll get a much better version of Dauda.

Would like to see Edwards expand a bit.

Shorter, but not short, bench should help some players. The rotation isn’t nearly as stressful except at forward.
 
.-.
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