South Carolina Women’s Basketball Mount Rushmore: Legends Who Shaped the Gamecock Dynasty
Crafting a Mount Rushmore for South Carolina women’s basketball is no easy feat. With 56 All-SEC selections, 23 All-Americans, nine SEC Player of the Year honors, and five jersey retirements, the program has built a rich and complex legacy. The challenge lies in honoring the pioneers while also acknowledging the superstars who transformed the program into a national powerhouse over the past decade.
To bring some clarity to the conversation, a trio of Mount Rushmores were assembled—one from The State newspaper, one from longtime Gamecocks play-by-play voice Brad Muller, and one voted on by Gamecock Nation.
🏀 Brad Muller’s Mount Rushmore:
A’ja Wilson
Aliyah Boston
Tiffany Mitchell
Denise Nanney White
Muller, the radio voice of South Carolina women’s basketball since 2007, emphasized the importance of recognizing both era-defining talent and foundational figures.
“You have to put A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston up there because they were national players of the year and led their teams to national championships,” Muller said.
He credited Tiffany Mitchell as the “first superstar” of the Dawn Staley era, calling her “Superwoman” and vital to building the foundation that later attracted talents like Wilson and Boston.
Muller also honored Denise Nanney White, a multi-sport athlete who was part of the first group of women to receive scholarships at USC. Playing from 1974, she averaged 17.8 points and 11.2 rebounds over her three-year career.
🗳️ Fan-Voted Mount Rushmore:
Based on over 3,000 ballots submitted in a public poll, the fans selected:
Sheila Foster
A’ja Wilson
Aliyah Boston
Tiffany Mitchell
Sheila Foster, a Spartanburg native who played from 1978–1982, received the most votes. She was the program’s all-time leading scorer until 2018 and still ranks in the top 10 for career rebounds. Her impact remains one of the cornerstones of USC’s early history.
📰 The State’s Official Picks:
After careful consideration, The State selected:
A’ja Wilson
Aliyah Boston
Sheila Foster
Tiffany Mitchell
Their reasoning echoed that of fans and experts. Wilson, the Columbia-born No. 1 recruit, revolutionized South Carolina basketball. She was a four-time All-American, three-time SEC Player of the Year, and the 2017 national champion, whose statue now stands outside Colonial Life Arena.
Boston, the leader of the 2022 national title run, was a four-time All-American and defensive stalwart whose impact matched Wilson’s. Her time in Columbia yielded a staggering 129-9 team record.
Mitchell brought the program into its modern golden age. A two-time SEC Player of the Year and three-time All-American, she was the first Gamecock to have her jersey retired under Staley’s leadership.
Foster, who dominated in the early 80s, was the school’s original record holder in several categories and remains one of its most iconic players.
🌟 Honorable Mentions:
Two other legends narrowly missed the cut:
Martha Parker: A three-time All-American and two-time Metro Conference Player of the Year.
Shannon Johnson: The only Gamecock to average 20+ points over three straight seasons and the program’s third all-time leading scorer.
🤔 Why It Matters:
This Mount Rushmore doesn’t just celebrate individual greatness—it tells the story of South Carolina’s evolution from regional contender to national juggernaut. Players like Wilson, Boston, Mitchell, and Foster built a bridge across generations, and their legacies have permanently elevated the Gamecocks to elite status.
Whether you agree with the final four or not, one thing is undeniable: the Gamecock00 women’s basketball legacy is rich, and its best may be yet to come.
