The basketball world was shaken on Saturday, February 28, when South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley took to X (formerly Twitter) with an urgent and emotional plea — asking fans, supporters, and the broader Gamecocks community to pray for three of her former players who found themselves caught in the middle of a rapidly escalating military conflict overseas.
Staley revealed that Tiffany Mitchell, who played last season for the Seattle Storm; former Phoenix Mercury forward Mikiah (Kiki) Herbert Harrigan; and former Team USA guard Destiny Littleton were all in Israel when the strikes began.
“Please pray for our @GamecockWBB @TiffMitch25 @2121Mikiah @dstnylttltn24 who are in a war zone in Israel,” Staley wrote. “We are working a plan to get home. Let us pray for our loved ones to return home safely asap! Thank you in advance.”
What Happened?
The United States joined Israel in launching strikes against Iran on Saturday morning. Iran responded with retaliatory missile strikes targeting U.S. sites in multiple countries, with approximately 40 missiles reported to have landed in Israel. Fox News The sudden escalation caught many off guard — including several American professional basketball players who were competing in Israel’s women’s basketball league during their WNBA offseason.
Why Were They in Israel?
For many WNBA players, playing overseas during the offseason is a financial necessity and a way to stay sharp competitively. All three former Gamecocks had established professional ties to the Israeli Women Basketball Premier League.
Destiny Littleton currently plays for Hapoel Lev Jerusalem, signing with the team in November. She previously played for Team USA basketball, winning a gold medal at the 2017 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup.
Tiffany Mitchell signed with the Seattle Storm in July after beginning the 2025 season with the Las Vegas Aces. She has played several offseasons overseas and last played with Hapoel Lev Jerusalem during the 2024-2025 season, even winning the Israeli Women Basketball Premier League championship in 2019.
Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, a first-round pick selected sixth overall in the 2020 WNBA Draft, last played for the Phoenix Mercury in 2024 before being traded to the Dallas Wings and eventually waived. She currently plays for Elitzur Ramla in the Israeli Women Basketball Premier League.
The Players Respond
Littleton posted a series of video updates on social media confirming she was “safe,” saying in one clip, “I’m about to head to the shelter now.” Later that night, she wrote, “It’s 12:48 am and I’m going to attempt to get some sleep. Prayers for safety for everyone impacted.”
Mitchell reshared Staley’s post on X with praying hands emojis but did not comment further. Herbert Harrigan did the same. WFMD-AM Their silence spoke volumes — a reflection of a surreal and frightening situation unfolding thousands of miles from home.
South Carolina Working to Bring Them Home
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley confirmed that the school is actively working to help the former players return home safely. Daily Journal The University of South Carolina had not yet issued a formal public statement at the time of reporting, but Staley’s post made clear that efforts were underway behind the scenes.
The three former Gamecocks were not alone. Other players in the Israeli league with WNBA ties, including Victoria Vivians, Christyn Williams, Shyanne Sellers, Arella Guirantes, and Evina Westbrook, were also in Israel at the time of the strikes. The Republic
A Community United in Prayer
What began as a routine Saturday in the sports world quickly turned into something far more sobering. Coach Staley — a woman known for building family within her program long after players leave Columbia — once again demonstrated that the Gamecock bond never expires. Her post rallied thousands online, generating over 24,000 views within hours.
The Gamecocks community, along with the broader WNBA world, has united in prayer and solidarity. As of this writing, all three players have been accounted for and are reported to be safe, but the road home remains uncertain amid an evolving and dangerous geopolitical situation.
We continue to pray for Tiffany Mitchell, Kiki Herbert Harrigan, and Destiny Littleton — and for all Americans caught in harm’s way. 🙏🏾
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
