Gamecocks Shine in WNBA Playoffs as Former Stars Seek Championship Glory

The WNBA playoffs are in full swing, and several former South Carolina Gamecocks are making their mark on the postseason. From Allisha Gray's clutch performances to Aliyah Boston's continued dominance, these Gamecock alums are showcasing their skills on the biggest stage. As the first-round series get underway, let's dive into the latest updates and look ahead to the exciting playoff matchups featuring these talented players.

Gamecock Greats Aim for WNBA Title

Atlanta Dream's Allisha Gray Leads Playoff Push

Allisha Gray, the 2017 WNBA Rookie of the Year, has been a driving force behind the Atlanta Dream's late-season surge into the playoffs. The former Gamecock standout averaged 15.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game during the regular season, helping the Dream secure a postseason berth. In the final week of the regular season, Gray delivered a pair of impressive performances, scoring 15 points and adding three blocks in a win over the Chicago Sky, followed by a 10-point, 5-rebound, 5-assist outing against the New York Liberty. Her all-around contributions were instrumental in Atlanta's playoff push.Now, Gray and the Dream will face the Liberty in a best-of-three first-round series. With her experience and playmaking ability, Gray will be a key factor in Atlanta's quest to advance deeper into the postseason.

Laeticia Amihere Provides Depth for Atlanta Dream

Joining Gray in the Dream's playoff rotation is Laeticia Amihere, another former Gamecock. Amihere saw increased playing time in the final week of the regular season, logging 10 minutes and scoring 3 points in a win over the Liberty.While Amihere's minutes have been limited throughout the season, her ability to contribute on both ends of the floor could prove valuable as the Dream navigate the postseason. Her defensive presence and energy off the bench could provide a spark for Atlanta as they look to make a deep playoff run.

Kamilla Cardoso and Kaela Davis Gain Valuable Experience with Chicago Sky

Despite the Chicago Sky's disappointing season, two former Gamecocks, Kamilla Cardoso and Kaela Davis, have gained valuable experience in the WNBA.Cardoso, the Sky's starting center, averaged 9.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game during the regular season. However, a shoulder injury kept her out of the final two games, as the Sky opted to rest their key players with a playoff berth out of reach.Davis, on the other hand, saw increased playing time in the season finale, recording 12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks, an assist, and a steal in 31 minutes. This performance provided Davis with an opportunity to showcase her skills and potentially attract interest from other teams in the offseason.While the Sky's season has come to an end, Cardoso and Davis have gained invaluable experience that will serve them well in their future WNBA careers.

Ty Harris and Tiffany Mitchell Contribute to Connecticut Sun's Playoff Push

The Connecticut Sun have been one of the WNBA's top teams all season, and two former Gamecocks, Ty Harris and Tiffany Mitchell, have played important roles in their success.Harris has been a steady presence in the Sun's starting lineup, averaging 10.5 points, 3.0 assists, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game. In the final week of the regular season, Harris showcased her versatility, leading all scorers with 15 points against the Chicago Sky and also contributing 2.0 blocks per game.Mitchell, who has been sidelined with an illness, has been unable to take the court for the Sun. However, her presence on the team and her ability to provide a scoring spark off the bench will be valuable if she is able to return for the playoffs.As the Sun prepare to face the Indiana Fever in the first round, Harris and Mitchell's experience and contributions will be crucial in the team's quest for a WNBA championship.

Aliyah Boston Continues to Shine for Indiana Fever

Aliyah Boston, the 2022 WNBA Rookie of the Year, has continued to impress in her first professional season with the Indiana Fever. Despite the Fever's up-and-down campaign, Boston has been a consistent force, averaging 14.0 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game.In the Fever's final regular-season game against the Washington Mystics, Boston broke the franchise record for rebounds in a season, showcasing her dominance on the glass. Her ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor has been a bright spot for the Fever, and her continued development will be crucial as they take on the Connecticut Sun in the first round.As Boston embarks on her first WNBA playoff experience, her poise, skill, and determination will be on full display as she aims to lead the Fever to an upset victory over the higher-seeded Sun.

A'ja Wilson Seeks Third Straight WNBA Title with Las Vegas Aces

The Las Vegas Aces have been one of the WNBA's powerhouses all season, and at the heart of their success is former Gamecock superstar A'ja Wilson. The reigning WNBA MVP has continued to dominate, averaging a career-high 26.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.6 blocks, and 1.8 steals per game.With the Aces locked into the fourth seed in the playoffs, Wilson and the team opted to rest her in the final regular-season game. This decision was likely a strategic move to ensure Wilson is fresh and ready to lead the Aces on their quest for a third consecutive WNBA championship.As the Aces prepare to face the Seattle Storm in the first round, Wilson's combination of size, skill, and tenacity will be a crucial factor in their pursuit of the title. Her ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor makes her one of the most dominant players in the league, and her championship pedigree will be invaluable as the Aces navigate the postseason.

Zia Cooke and Mikiah Herbert Harrigan Gain Valuable Experience

While the Los Angeles Sparks and Phoenix Mercury did not make the playoffs, two former Gamecocks, Zia Cooke and Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, gained valuable experience in their rookie and sophomore seasons, respectively.Cooke, the Sparks' first-round draft pick, had a solid performance in a late-season game against the Phoenix Mercury, scoring 9 points and adding a rebound and an assist. Although her playing time was limited throughout the season, this experience will be invaluable as she looks to build on her rookie campaign and establish herself as a consistent contributor in the WNBA.Herbert Harrigan, who plays for the Mercury, also had a strong finish to the regular season, recording 10 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals in a win over the Sparks, and 9 points and 5 rebounds in a loss to the Seattle Storm. Her ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor showcased her potential, and she will look to build on this momentum as she prepares for the offseason.While their teams did not make the playoffs, Cooke and Herbert Harrigan's growth and development throughout the season will serve them well as they continue to carve out their roles in the WNBA.