Getting to know the Gamecocks: Olivia Gaines

Position: Guard

Year: Junior

Height: 5-7

Hometown: Chester

Key Stat

Shooting .750 from the free-throw line, second best on team

Did you know?

A native of Chester, Gaines remembers Devan Downey.

“He was a little bit before me, but I always watched him during high-school games. I played with his sister, Mara White.”

But she doesn’t wear No. 2 because of him.

“This is my own number. It’s the number I had in AAU. I wanted to get No. 12, but Wilka Montout had it. Maybe I’ll get it next year (Montout is a senior).”

She has her own pre-game routine.

“I love to dance, and I love to laugh all the time. I just do stupid stuff, like imitating dances and stuff, something crazy. I’ll just make up some dances.”

Has that ever gotten her in trouble?

“No. I do it before games, usually in the locker room, sometimes in the weight room. The coaches haven’t got me yet.”

David Cloninger

This story was originally published February 27, 2014 at 4:01 PM with the headline "Getting to know the Gamecocks: Olivia Gaines."