12 former Gamecocks earn spot on WNBA opening day rosters

Posted 5/13/26

The 2026 WNBA season is officially underway, and South Carolina women's basketball set a program record for the most players on WNBA rosters to begin a season.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Subscribe to continue reading. Already a subscriber? Sign in

Local news from Lexington's only local news source. Subscribe today.

You can cancel anytime.
 

Please log in to continue

Log in

12 former Gamecocks earn spot on WNBA opening day rosters

Posted

The 2026 WNBA season is officially underway, and South Carolina women's basketball set a program record for the most players on WNBA rosters to begin a season.

All 12 Gamecocks alums who went into training camp made it on their teams’ active roster. Seven of the 15 league teams feature at least one former South Carolina player, and two teams have three. 

Below is a bit of information on each of the players currently in the WNBA. 

A’ja Wilson - Las Vegas Aces

Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson is already in the conversation for the greatest WNBA player in league history.   

The former Gamecock has a league-record four MVPs to her name and three championship rings. In eight seasons, she earned seven All-Star nods and six All-WNBA selections. 

Wilson became the first player in league history to score 1,000 points in a single season, ending that year with 1,021 in 38 games played. 

In the Aces' season-opener, Wilson finished with 19 points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks in a loss to the Phoenix Mercury.

Aliyah Boston - Indiana Fever

Former No. 1 overall pick Aliyah Boston is back for her fourth WNBA season.

Boston quickly emerged as a top talent in the WNBA and helped the Fever advance to the semifinals last season. She was the 2023 Rookie of the Year and earned her first All-WNBA selection in 2025. 

She has been an All-Star every year of her career. 

Raven Johnson - Indiana Fever

The Fever used their first pick in the 2026 draft to select guard Raven Johnson. 

Johnson was one of the top facilitators and defenders in the country during her final year with the Gamecocks. She made it out of training camp and will come off the bench behind former Iowa guard Caitlin Clark. 

In the Fever’s season opener, Johnson logged four points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal in 12 minutes. 

Tyasha Harris - Indiana Fever

The Indiana Fever signed guard Tyasha Harris in the offseason. 

Harris, an Indianapolis native, reunited with former Gamecock teammate Aliyah Boston. The pair played together for one year during the 2019-20 COVID-19 shortened season. 

In 2025, Harris was traded to the Dallas Wings, but only played five games before missing the rest of the season with an injury. 

Allisha Gray - Atlanta Dream

Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray is the longest tenured Gamecock in the WNBA, entering year 10. 

She spent her first seven seasons in Dallas, where she was drafted and became the first former Gamecock to win Rookie of the Year. Since arriving in Atlanta, Gray’s career has elevated to another level. 

Gray has averaged at least 15 points per game every year since joining the Dream. She never reached those numbers in Dallas. She also earned all three of her All-Star nods in Atlanta. 

In 2025, Gray received her first All-WNBA selection. 

Te-Hina Paopao - Atlanta Dream

Te-Hina Paopao is back in Atlanta following a steady rookie campaign in 2025. 

Paopao appeared in 43 games for the Dream last season, starting in 15. She averaged six points and two assists on 44% shooting. 

Madina Okot - Atlanta Dream

The Dream selected Okot with their first round pick in the 2026 WNBA draft. 

Okot came to the United States to play basketball, starting in what would be her junior year. She spent one season at Mississippi State before transferring to South Carolina. 

Two seasons of college ball were all the Dream needed to see before using their pick on Okot. She earned a spot on the All-SEC team last season after averaging 13 points and 11 rebounds on strong shooting numbers. 

Sania Feagin - Los Angeles Sparks

Sania Feagin earned a spot on the Sparks roster for her second season, despite seeing limited action as a rookie. 

Feagin played in 16 games last season and averaged less than five minutes a game. She logged three minutes in the team's 2026 opener against the Aces. 

Ta’Niya Latson - Los Angeles Sparks

The Spark selected Ta’Niya Latson in the second round of the 2026 draft.

Latson spent one season at South Carolina, but it was an impactful one. She was second on the team in scoring and hit 48% of her shots as a guard. 

Before transferring to South Carolina, Latson led the nation in scoring at Florida State, averaging 25 points per game.   

She logged five minutes in the season opener and made her only shot attempt. 

Laeticia Amihere - Golden State Valkyries

Laeticia Amihere is going into her fourth WNBA season and second with the Valkyries. 

Amihere had the best season of her career in 2025 with Golden State. She set career-highs across the board, appearing in 29 games for the team.

Through two games this season, she is averaging eight points, five rebounds and three assists.

Zia Cooke - Seattle Storm

Zia Cooke is also going into year four and on team number two. 

Cooke got her career started in Los Angeles before joining the Storm in 2025. Cooke is looking to carve a sizable role on the team this year. 

She played 23 minutes in the season-opener, recording 15 points and seven rebounds. 

Kamilla Cardoso - Chicago Sky

Former No. 3 overall pick Kamilla Cardoso is back in Chicago for year three. 

Cardoso has seen steady improvement in each of her first two seasons. She earned a spot on the All-Rookie team in 2024 and improved her stats in 2025. 

The Sky started the season with a win over Portland. Cardoso had a game-high 22 points and 14 rebounds in 25 minutes. 

WNBA season opener, A'ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here