COLUMBIA -- The WNBA season began on Friday, and South Carolina continues to have a major presence in it.
Twelve Gamecocks were on rosters as the season tipped off.
The list:
Laeticia Amihere, Golden State
Entering her fourth season in the WNBA, Amihere played two seasons in Atlanta before being picked up by the Valkyries. She didn't make the team out of training camp last year but was added to the roster by early June and finished the season. She is averaging 3.4 points and 2.6 rebounds for her career.
Aliyah Boston, Indiana
The Gamecocks' second No. 1 pick in the WNBA, Boston anchors a team that's loaded with star power and is only set to get better. She has averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3 assists during her previous three years.
Kamilla Cardoso, Chicago
Monstrous in the middle, the 6-foot-7 Brazilian has averaged 11.9 points and 8.3 rebounds during her first two seasons. She's also managed to pass her way to 2.1 assists per game.
Zia Cooke, Seattle
The fourth-year guard made the opening-day roster after an interesting history with the Storm, being traded by Seattle to Washington in August 2025 but then being waived and re-signed by the Storm. She is averaging 4 points and 0.7 assists in her career.
Sania Feagin, Los Angeles
She didn't get to play much as a rookie, but she played enough to show that there's something to count on. Feagin averaged 1.3 points and 0.7 rebounds while only crossing into double-figure minutes three times, but she remains on the Sparks' progressive track.
Allisha Gray, Atlanta
Coming off her best pro season (she finished fourth in MVP voting), Gray enters her 10th season as one of the most all-around talented players in the game. She's at career averages of 13.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists.
Ty Harris, Indiana
It's her seventh season overall but first since she missed all of last year with a knee injury. On her third team, Harris has averaged 6.5 points and 2.6 assists for her career, and will be a vital part of a Fever squad built to seriously pursue a championship.
Raven Johnson, Indiana
It seemed curious that the Fever would draft a point guard when they already had Caitlin Clark and signed Harris during the offseason. But that was precisely the point. Coach Stephanie White is trying to ease the burden on Clark after injuries held her to 13 games last season, and moving her off the ball sometimes is a way to do that. Johnson and Harris, pure point guards and defenders (Clark's defense is, kindly, tissue-thin) can handle the ball and let Clark score.
Ta'Niya Latson, Los Angeles
The Sparks were stunned that Latson was still available at the 20th spot in the draft and felt "like we stole one there," coach Lynne Roberts said. The high-scoring guard is expected to be in the rotation right away.
Madina Okot, Atlanta
The No. 13 overall pick in the WNBA draft, Okot came into the league with a tag of, "Wait until she reaches her ceiling." She didn't waste much time pursuing it, notching a double-double in her first preseason game.
Te-Hina Paopao, Atlanta
The knockdown shooter averaged a mere 5.8 points and 2.4 assists during her rookie season but is primed to take a big step. The Dream traded for Angel Reese to help their frontcourt, and with teams knowing they have to cover guards Gray and Rhyne Howard, Paopao can clean up on extra-pass opportunities.
A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas
The best player in the world begins her ninth season as the only woman to win four WNBA MVP awards, and she's also coming off her third league championship. Her career averages are 21.4 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists.