Each Gamecock personality fits a role on the team. Together, it’s a recipe for success
Lele Grissett got the OK to head over to the band.
South Carolina had just earned its second straight trip to the Final Four after beating Creighton 80-50 on Sunday night at the Greensboro Coliseum. Grissett, sporting a black Final Four cap and a gray Final Four shirt over her jersey, ran over to South Carolina’s pep band. Laeticia Amihere and an injured Raven Johnson, in street clothes, weren’t too far behind.
Soon, the rest of the Gamecocks team joined them in front of the band as it blasted “Neck,” a song by Jay Da Wizard made popular at LSU.
A dance circle broke out with Grissett in the middle of it all. Whether it’s dancing or being the keeper of handshakes during player intros, this is who Grissett is.
“I just feel like I’m the energy player,” she said. “Everybody’s looking at me for energy.”
Not everyone can be the energetic one, though, and that’s OK.
The Gamecocks also need Destiny Littleton, who considers herself as a mom-like figure. If anyone has questions or needs advice — whether it’s about basketball or life — she’s there. At the same time, she’s a good sport about being involved with dance breakouts despite admittedly not knowing how to dance.
Each South Carolina player brings something different to the team, but all those personalities work together in helping the Gamecocks reach another Final Four.
“When it comes to personality, I feel like everybody just meshes well together, because at the end of the day everybody has a different personality, and that specific personality goes with what is going on on the court,” Gamecocks guard Destanni Henderson said. “I feel like everybody is just connected, and that’s what keeps us on track.”
As one of the older players on the team, Henderson’s thoughtfulness and cerebral nature gives her what it takes to run the point for the Gamecocks. Zia Cooke takes a more serious approach on the court but can cut loose when not focused on a game.
If superlatives were given out, Littleton believes Cooke would be the class clown, while Henderson is the life of the party.
Bree Hall is the most outgoing, and Amihere would be the one Littleton would call if she’s ever in trouble.
“Well, Zia never answers the phone, so definitely cannot call her,” Littleton reasoned, “so it would be LA.”
Grissett would be able to do the best impression of head coach Dawn Staley, Littleton believes. Naturally, National Player of the Year front-runner Aliyah Boston is the most clutch player. At the same time, the junior considers herself someone who can keep everyone level-headed as one of the leaders on the team.
“We all buy into our roles and make sure we’re best at that, especially at this time,” guard Brea Beal said.
With each personality comes different habits, mannerisms and demeanors. But Sunday night, the joyful aura emanated from everyone, from the more serious players to the jovial ones.
“We have some people who are very energetic, and we have some people who never talk,” Littleton said. “Those people who never talk, we kind of bring it out of them every now and then. It’s just fun seeing the freshmen, especially, get out of their shell and just experience the NCAA tournament, because they’ll experience it for the next three years.”
South Carolina women’s basketball roster
Listed with position, height, class and hometown
- 0 — Olivia Thompson (G, 5-8, Jr.) Lexington, SC
- 1 — Zia Cooke (G, 5-9, Jr.) Toledo, Ohio
- 2 — Eniya Russell (G, 6-1, So., Baltimore, Md.)
- 3 — Destanni Henderson (G, 5-7, Sr.) Fort Myers, Fla.
- 4 — Aliyah Boston (F, 6-5, Jr.) St. Thomas, USVI
- 5 — Victaria Saxton (F, 6-2, Sr.) Rome, Ga.
- 10 — Kamilla Cardoso (C, 6-7, So.) Montes Claros, Brazil
- 11 — Destiny Littleton (G, 5-9, Sr.) San Diego, Calif.
- 12 — Brea Beal (G, 6-1, Jr.) Rock Island, Illinois
- 15 — Laeticia Amihere (F, 6-4, Jr.) Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
- 20 — Sania Feagin (F, 6-3, Fr.) Ellenwood, Ga.
- 23 — Bree Hall (G, 6-0, Fr.) Dayton, Ohio
- 24 — LeLe Grissett (G, 6-2, Gr.) Durham, NC
- 25 — Raven Johnson (G, 5-8, Fr.) Atlanta, Ga.
- 32 — Elysa Wesolek (F, 6-1, Sr.) Charleston, SC
- 44 — Saniya Rivers (G, 6-1, Fr.) Wilmington, NC
This story was originally published March 28, 2022 at 4:45 AM with the headline "Each Gamecock personality fits a role on the team. Together, it’s a recipe for success."
