Ranking the best women’s players in South Carolina basketball history
1. Sheila Foster (1978-82)
Program’s top career scorer and rebounder.
2. Martha Parker (1985-89)
Three-time All-American who played in three NCAA tournaments.
3. Shannon Johnson (1992-96)
No. 2 career scorer whose number was retired.
4. Brantley Southers (1981-86)
Third-leading scorer and three-time All-American.
5. Tiffany Mitchell (2012-16)
Two-time SEC Player of the Year and three-time All-American.
6. Mindy Ballou (1982-86)
Three-time All-American who’s second in career assists.
7. Aleighsa Welch (2011-15)
Dawn Staley’s first homegrown recruit who helped begin NCAA Tournament run.
8. Jocelyn Penn (1998-03, above)
Fourth-leading scorer who anchored two NCAA tournament teams.
9. Katrina Anderson (1977-79)
USC’s first All-American who’s 13th in scoring, despite only playing two seasons
10. Marsha Williams (1989-93)
Two-time All-American and No. 10 scorer.
11. La’Keisha Sutton (2008-12)
Gritty point guard who started Staley’s run of NCAAs.
12. Denise Nanney (1974-77)
Averaged 17.8 points per game as USC’s first star.
13. A’ja Wilson (2014-present, above)
Already SEC Freshman/Defensive/Player of the Year and All-American, with two seasons to go.
14. Schonna Banner (1986-90)
All-American and No. 6 career scorer.
15. Karen Middleton (1987-91)
Volume scorer on four NCAA tournament teams.
16. Shaunzinski Gortman (1998-02)
All-American who helped lead an Elite Eight team.
17. Alaina Coates (2013-present)
Could be USC’s most dominant post.
18. Evelyn Johnson (1979-83)
Magic’s sister scored 1,620 points, ninth on the career chart.
19. Ieasia Walker (2009-13)
Point guard who aided USC’s rise to respectability under Staley.
20. Ashley Bruner (2009-13, above)
Impacted in ways much bigger than her listed height.
21. Sharon Gilmore (1982-86)
No. 11 scorer who had four winning seasons.
22. Beth Hunt (1988-90)
All-American who averaged over 20 points per game.
23. Renee Najarian (1983-85)
She was an All-American as a senior.
24. Charenee Stephens (2008-12)
An enforcer on the block who gave Staley’s early teams their attitude.
25. Khadijah Sessions (2012-16)
PG during USC’s elevation from good to dominant.
This story was originally published November 2, 2016 at 3:22 PM.