Welch proud of legacy she’ll leave at USC

Two-time All-American and SEC Player of the Year Tiffany Mitchell walked over as the cameras began rolling. She embraced her former teammate, saying, “Noooo, please don’t leave!”

Mitchell is South Carolina’s most talented player. She was speaking for the team when she credited who the most valuable player was last year.

Aleighsa Welch playfully brushed Mitchell aside but acknowledged Mitchell’s sentiments. After a four-year career where Welch did everything she could to win games – and with her, the Gamecocks won 113 – her amateur career ended in a Final Four loss. About to embark on her professional career after being selected by Chicago in the second round of last week’s WNBA Draft, Welch spoke Monday about the legacy she hoped she was leaving behind.

“Like I’ve always said, I want to be remembered as someone who’s worked hard,” Welch said. “The leadership aspect will probably always be attached to my name.”

Welch’s points and rebounds might be replaced but her passion for the game and the way she never demanded the captaincy, yet everyone automatically followed her lead, will be hard to replace. Mitchell seems the likely candidate, although she has never been a vocal player – she prefers to let her play do the talking.

Welch said she’ll be watching next year because she knows Mitchell will inherit the role – and Mitchell was working on her shooting while Welch was speaking. She knows the Gamecocks will be very strong next year and should be penciled in for another Final Four berth.

It will sting to not be a part of it, but Welch is proud of what she’ll leave.

“Not any day of the week. Never,” Welch replied about regrets. “My four years here have been unbelievable.”

Welch was the first South Carolina native to sign under Dawn Staley and the leader of its first NCAA Final Four team. She became the first WNBA draft pick under Staley last week and will head to training camp on May 17. The season begins on June 5 and lasts until mid-September, with playoffs afterward; once it concludes, Welch is interested in playing overseas until the next WNBA season.

Until she leaves for camp, she’ll be working on her game and reflecting on a great ride.

“Basketball is something I love to do,” she said. “How can I complain when I get to play basketball?”

This story was originally published April 20, 2015 at 4:45 PM with the headline "Welch proud of legacy she’ll leave at USC."