Gamecock great Alaina Coates picks up another ring

Former South Carolina women’s basketball player Alaina Coates has built up a collection of rings. SEC championship rings, Final Four rings, the national title ring the Gamecocks won last season.

But the one she picked up Monday was pretty special as well.

Coates was one of 24 Gamecocks who received rings as graduating student-athletes. Currently a member of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky, she became the third member of her family to earn a degree.

“Been looking forward to this moment, and I’m just excited the day is finally here,” Coates said. “I can stop studying hours on end for exams and writing so many papers. I’m really proud of myself.”

Although the 6-foot-5 center is currently a professional player, she wasn’t with Chicago full time because of a lingering ankle injury that ended her senior season early. Her doctors were in Columbia, so she split time, flying out to be with the team, but also able to experience the life of a more average student.

“It was just a little easier,” Coates said. “I had more free time because I didn’t have to worry about going to practice or weightlifting or anything like that. I was able to get the job done.

“Mentor in the morning, go to class, go work out, do some stuff in the gym, maybe have a night class. ... I can cut the school part out now.”

She said she liked Chicago, as long as it wasn’t raining and windy, and remains thankful she doesn’t have to live there in the winter.

Going out on top

Savannah McCaskill’s career already was plenty decorated. She’s been a multiple-time All-American, four times All-SEC and a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, the sport’s top individual honor.

But she was more happy to take her program to its first Final Four to cap a career.

“Being able to end my four years with that was definitely a high to go out on,” McCaskill said after the ring ceremony.

She said she’s entered her name in the National Women’s Soccer League draft and hopes to get in a few years of professional soccer. Staying in the U.S. is something she’d prefer, at least for the short term.

“I want to stay stateside for the next couple years,” McCaskill said. “Kind of see how it goes. I definitely wouldn’t be opposed to going overseas, but just kind of take it one year at a time.”

This story was originally published December 18, 2017 at 4:44 PM with the headline "Gamecock great Alaina Coates picks up another ring."