Feb. 22, 2017

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina senior center Alaina Coates has earned a spot on the 2016-17 SEC Community Service Team, the league announced Wednesday afternoon.

Coates has made her impact felt off the court through a variety of community service initiatives. The Irmo, S.C., native has shown a passion for working with local youth, taking time to read and speak at elementary schools. Coates has also visited patients at local medical facilities, including the Dorn VA Hospital Veterans Living Center, and she has volunteered for the Meals on Wheels program.

The senior standout remains a force on the hardwood, as she leads the SEC in field goal percentage (.672) and rebounds per game (11.2). Coates boasts a team-high 15 double-doubles this season, including four against top-10 foes. Her 13.4 points per game are second among Gamecocks, and she currently ranks second in program history in career rebounds (1,220), double-doubles (57) and blocks (209).

Coates and the No. 7/7 Gamecocks (22-4, 12-2) return to action Thursday for a road contest against Texas A&M. Tipoff against the Aggies is set for 9 p.m. ET, and the contest will air on SEC Network.

2016-17 SEC Community Service Team
Ashley Williams, Alabama
Devin Cosper, Arkansas
Katie Frerking, Auburn
Brooke Copeland, Florida
Mackenzie Engram, Georgia
Alyssa Rice, Kentucky
Rina Hill, LSU
Shandricka Sessom, Ole Miss
Blair Schaefer, Mississippi State
Lianna Doty, Missouri
Alaina Coates, South Carolina
Jordan Reynolds, Tennessee
Minta Spears, Vanderbilt