Nov. 10, 2015
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Recognition continues to pour in for South Carolina women’s basketball with senior guard Tiffany Mitchell and sophomore forward A’ja Wilson capturing Preseason All-America honors from the Associated Press today. Mitchell was a first-team selection, while Wilson earned honorable mention status. The Gamecocks officially open the 2015-16 season this Fri., Nov. 13, against No. 6/10 Ohio State. Tipoff at Colonial Life Arena is set for 7 p.m. with a. ceremony commemorating the 2014-15 season beginning at 6:45 p.m.
Mitchell has been named an All-American the last two seasons, including a consensus first-team selection in 2014-15. The senior has become one of the most efficient scorers in the nation, hitting 49.6 percent (354-713) of her field goal attempts over the last two seasons, including 46.0 percent (97-211) from 3-point range during the stretch. She has led the team in scoring and assists in each of the last two seasons, en route to SEC Player of the Year recognition in each campaign.
Wilson became the Gamecocks’ first freshman to earn All-America honors from the Associated Press last season, claiming a spot on the third team. Her 13.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game were both second on the team in 2014-15 and helped her to a spot on the All-SEC First Team and SEC Freshman of the Year honors. Wilson followed up her freshman season with an MVP performance at the FIBA U19 World Championships this summer, during which she helped the U.S. to a gold medal.
Season tickets are sold out, but single-game tickets are available via the website, www.GamecocksOnline.com/tickets, or by calling the South Carolina Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-4SC-FANS. All single-game tickets are general admission at a cost of $8 for adults and $4 for youth (17 and under).
AP Preseason All-America First Team
Nina Davis, Baylor
Breanna Stewart, Connecticut
Moriah Jefferson, Connecticut
Kelsey Mitchell, Ohio State
Tiffany Mitchell, South Carolina
AP Preseason All-America Honorable Mention
Morgan Tuck, Connecticut
Adut Bulgak, Florida State
Aerial Powers, Michigan State
Brianna Turner, Notre Dame
Jillian Alleyne, Oregon
A’ja Wilson, South Carolina
Diamond DeShields, Tennessee
Courtney Williams, South Florida