South Carolina Women’s Basketball has had three or more selections in this draft, marking the third time in WNBA history that this has happened.
In what is now becoming a dynasty-defining tradition, South Carolina Women’s Basketball saw three or more players selected in the 2025 WNBA Draft, marking the third time the program has achieved this feat—and just the third time any program has done so in WNBA history. This milestone isn’t just a testament to the individual talents of the Gamecocks’ stars but a resounding affirmation of Dawn Staley’s program as the premier incubator of elite professional talent in women’s basketball.
The 2025 WNBA Draft saw Kamilla Cardoso (3rd overall, Chicago Sky), Te-Hina Paopao (12th overall, Connecticut Sun), and Raven Johnson (17th overall, Dallas Wings) hear their names called, adding their legacy to a program that has become synonymous with excellence. For South Carolina, this moment wasn’t a fluke or a one-time flash—it was the continuation of a trend that has reshaped the women’s college basketball landscape.
To understand the gravity of this achievement, one must look at its historical context. South Carolina previously had three players selected in both the 2017 and 2023 WNBA Drafts. Now, in 2025, the Gamecocks have accomplished it again, matching the output of legendary programs like UConn and Tennessee in terms of player development and WNBA readiness. Only South Carolina has achieved this feat three times in the last decade, and no other program in the modern era has done so with such consistency across multiple generations of athletes.
In 2017, the trio of Alaina Coates, Allisha Gray, and Kaela Davis made waves. That draft served as a harbinger of what was to come. Then, in 2023, the monumental class featuring Aliyah Boston, Zia Cooke, and Brea Beal solidified South Carolina’s standing as a draft-day powerhouse. With 2025 now added to that list, a clear pattern has emerged—Staley’s system does more than win titles. It prepares players for the demands, pace, and spotlight of the professional game.
Much of this success can be traced to head coach Dawn Staley, whose approach goes beyond winning college games. A WNBA legend and Olympic gold medalist herself, Staley understands the physical and mental grind of professional basketball better than most. Her practices mimic professional environments, her expectations are rooted in discipline and versatility, and her players consistently enter the WNBA ready to contribute immediately.
“She’s more than a coach—she’s a mentor, a visionary,” said a WNBA executive during the draft broadcast. “Every time we draft a South Carolina player, we know we’re getting someone who’s ready for the moment.”
Staley’s ability to develop both highly-touted recruits and under-the-radar prospects is what sets her apart. For example, Kamilla Cardoso transferred from Syracuse and blossomed into one of the most dominant post presences in the nation under Staley’s guidance. Paopao, a transfer from Oregon, polished her game into a WNBA-level package of playmaking and perimeter shooting.
Cardoso was the centerpiece of South Carolina’s dominant 2024-2025 season. A 6-foot-7 center with a blend of finesse and physicality, she anchored the Gamecocks’ defense and routinely overwhelmed opponents with her rebounding and shot-blocking. On offense, she added range to her post game, finishing with career-highs in scoring and field goal percentage.
For the Chicago Sky, who are in the midst of rebuilding, Cardoso represents a cornerstone for the future. Her pairing with 2023 No. 1 pick Aliyah Boston (also from South Carolina) in the frontcourt has fans buzzing with anticipation.
“Kamilla changes the game on both ends,” Staley said during draft night. “She’s prepared for this moment, and she’ll only get better.”
Paopao’s one year in Columbia was a testament to how quickly a player can grow in the right system. As the lead guard for South Carolina, she brought veteran poise, court vision, and elite three-point shooting. Paopao shot over 40% from beyond the arc, stretching defenses and facilitating a balanced offensive attack.
Connecticut gains a guard who can contribute immediately and fill multiple backcourt roles. With injuries and inconsistency plaguing the Sun’s guard rotation last season, Paopao’s skill set is a welcome addition.
“She was the floor general we needed,” Staley reflected. “Calm under pressure, always making the right play.”
Johnson, once a top recruit, overcame injury adversity early in her college career to become one of the SEC’s most feared perimeter defenders. Her on-ball pressure, anticipation in passing lanes, and unselfish offensive play made her indispensable to the Gamecocks’ deep tournament runs.
Though selected later than her teammates, Johnson has the potential to be a sleeper pick. Her defense-first mentality and leadership intangibles are traits that rarely go unnoticed in the WNBA.
“She’s a culture-changer,” said a scout from Dallas. “You want players who want to win, who don’t care about stats. That’s Raven.”
South Carolina’s influence on the WNBA is now far-reaching. At nearly every franchise, there’s a Gamecock on the roster—or at least there has been in recent years. Their alumni are playing in All-Star Games, winning championships, and reshaping what it means to be a two-way player in the women’s game.
Aliyah Boston (Indiana Fever) was the 2023 No. 1 overall pick and immediately became an All-Star. Allisha Gray won Olympic gold. A’ja Wilson, the face of the Las Vegas Aces and a two-time league MVP, is perhaps the greatest testament to Staley’s program. Wilson’s dominance has made her not just an ambassador for South Carolina, but for women’s basketball as a whole.
The Gamecocks are no longer just producing draft picks—they’re producing franchise players, league icons, and global superstars.
It’s not just about WNBA selections, either. South Carolina’s track record includes:
- Three Final Four appearances in the last five years
- Undefeated regular season records
- National championships in 2017 and 2022
- A winning percentage north of 85% over the last decade
All of this success feeds into the draft narrative. Recruits now view South Carolina as a sure route to professional success. NIL deals, televised games, and passionate fan support in Columbia have only bolstered the appeal. In short, South Carolina has become to women’s basketball what Alabama was to college football in the 2010s—a juggernaut.
Having three or more players drafted in a single year may seem achievable, but it’s exceedingly rare. Programs like UConn and Tennessee achieved it during their dynastic runs, but even they didn’t sustain it across multiple recruiting cycles like South Carolina has.
The only other programs to achieve this feat three times are:
- UConn (2002, 2004, 2016)
- Tennessee (1999, 2003, 2008)
But only South Carolina has done it three times in the last eight years, showing a sustained excellence in player development. While those historic programs set the bar in the early years of the WNBA, South Carolina is now carrying that torch.
The 2025 class may be off to the pros, but the cupboard in Columbia is far from empty. With top recruits committed and rising underclassmen returning, South Carolina remains a title contender and draft factory.
Incoming freshmen like Mikaylah Williams and Joyce Edwards, and returning stars like Ashlyn Watkins and Chloe Kitts, ensure that the program isn’t done shaping WNBA futures. And as long as Dawn Staley is at the helm, there’s every reason to believe that another trio (or more) of Gamecocks will be hugging the commissioner at a future WNBA Draft.
Three or more players drafted in a single year is a momentous feat. Doing it three times in less than a decade? That’s a legacy.
South Carolina Women’s Basketball has become the gold standard for college-to-pro success. With Dawn Staley crafting the blueprint and a steady flow of elite talent, this isn’t just history—it’s the present and future of women’s basketball.
The 2025 WNBA Draft didn’t just celebrate the accomplishments of Kamilla Cardoso, Te-Hina Paopao, and Raven Johnson. It celebrated the evolution of a program, the leadership of a coach, and the enduring power of preparation.
As each Gamecock begins her WNBA journey, one truth remains undeniable: South Carolina isn’t just producing players—they’re producing professionals.
