May 15, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley announced today the signing of 5-foot-7 guard Olivia Gaines (Chester, S.C./Chester) to a National Letter of Intent to attend the University and play for the Gamecocks. Gaines will have two seasons of eligibility beginning with the 2013-14 season.

“Olivia brings experience and athleticism to our young back court,” Staley sad. “We look forward to her contributing on both sides of the ball.”

After her high school career at Chester, Gaines spent the last two seasons at Louisburg College (Louisburg, N.C.). After helping the Hurricanes to the 2013 NJCAA Division II National Championship, Gaines was named the Junior/Community College Player of the Year by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. Averaging 18.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.5 steals, the sophomore earned a spot on the NJCAA All-America team.

Gaines joins the Gamecocks early signee, Alaina Coates, a 6-foot-4 center from Irmo, S.C. (Dutch Fork).