A’ja Wilson, WNBA Stars Light Up Colonial Life Arena as Gamecocks Dazzle in 112–31 Exhibition Win
COLUMBIA, S.C. — It was a night of dominance, star power, and pure Gamecock pride inside Colonial Life Arena as South Carolina rolled past Anderson 112–31 in their exhibition opener. But it wasn’t just the scoreboard that had fans buzzing — it was the courtside presence of some of the biggest names in basketball.
Among the high-profile guests in attendance were four-time WNBA MVP and former Gamecock legend A’ja Wilson, along with the Atlanta Dream trio of Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and Te-Hina Paopao. The electric atmosphere turned the exhibition into a full-blown celebration of South Carolina women’s basketball — past, present, and future.
Gamecock Royalty Returns Home
For fans, seeing A’ja Wilson back at Colonial Life Arena was a nostalgic and emotional moment. Wilson, who led the Gamecocks to their first-ever national championship in 2017, remains one of the program’s most beloved figures. Her return came fresh off another incredible WNBA season, where she continued to cement her legacy as one of the greatest to ever play the game.
Wilson wasn’t alone in repping the Gamecock family. Allisha Gray, another South Carolina alum and current Atlanta Dream star, joined her Dream teammates Rhyne Howard and Te-Hina Paopao in showing support for Dawn Staley’s 2025 squad.
Paopao, who transferred to South Carolina last season and quickly became a fan favorite for her leadership and sharpshooting, received a warm ovation from the crowd as she reunited with her former teammates.
“It’s always special to come back and see the next generation carry the torch,” Wilson said to fans postgame. “Coach Staley keeps raising the bar — and this team looks ready to make more history.”
On the Court: Gamecocks Dominate Anderson
While the stands were packed with stars, the Gamecocks delivered a performance worthy of the moment. Joyce Edwards led all scorers with 27 points, while newcomers Madina Okot (17 points, 15 rebounds, six blocks) and Ta’Niya Latson (14 points) made emphatic debuts.
Freshman Agot Makeer was another standout, contributing 16 points, six rebounds, five steals, and four assists — earning loud cheers from both fans and the WNBA pros in attendance.
The Gamecocks raced out to a 16–0 start and never looked back, controlling every aspect of the game from start to finish.
A Star-Studded Recruiting Weekend
The evening was part of a huge homecoming and recruiting weekend for South Carolina. Among those in attendance was Jerzy Robinson, the 6-foot-1 guard and top-five recruit in the 2026 class, who received chants of “We want Jerzy!” from the student section.
Former and current players mingled courtside, creating a family-like atmosphere that underscored what makes South Carolina one of the most connected programs in the country.
As head coach Dawn Staley put it after the game:
“When you see A’ja, Allisha, Te-Hina, and so many others come back — that’s what this program is about. It’s family. They built this, and now they’re here to watch it grow.”
Looking Ahead
The Gamecocks’ next challenge will be a tougher test against North Carolina, but Friday night’s win — and the energy that came with it — was a strong reminder that South Carolina’s culture remains unmatched.
From A’ja Wilson’s legacy to the next generation taking the court, the Gamecock brand continues to shine bright — both in Columbia and across the basketball world.
