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Hall of Fame Class of 2024: Tiffany Mitchell

by Brad Muller

At the end of her South Carolina career, Tiffany Mitchell (2012-2016) was the most decorated women’s basketball player in program history. The do-it-all shooting guard had her #25 jersey retired in November of 2023, and nearly a decade after graduating, she’s still playing professionally in the WNBA. Known as “Super Woman” by some of the local media, Mitchell was as little bit surprised when she received a call from Athletics Director Ray Tanner to inform her that she was selected as part of this year’s class for the Association of Lettermen’s Athletics Hall of Fame.

“I was actually in the middle of getting my hair done preparing for the Olympic break, and I saw Ray Tanner’s name pop up on my phone,” Mitchell said. “I had no idea what it could have been being that we just celebrated my jersey retirement the previous year, but he ended up telling me I was selected for this year’s Hall of fame, and instantly, I was in shock and then taken over with gratitude. Being selected into the Hall of Fame of a school that has so many amazing athletes, I was lost for words, but I’m extremely grateful and honored for the recognition.”

The highly sought-after Charlotte native didn’t have to go too far from home for her collegiate career, and with the opportunity to play for Dawn Staley, one of her childhood idols, it was a no-brainer. She couldn’t have known the history she would help create within the program as part of the first SEC Champion (2014), SEC Tournament Champion (2015) and NCAA Final Four teams in program history.

“I came because I trusted Dawn and the coaching staff, it was close to home, and I wanted to set myself up with the best opportunity to continue to play once I graduated,” Mitchell said. “Being a part of the ‘first’ of a lot of things with the basketball team just shows how much I bought in during my time there.

“I chose to come to South Carolina because I felt a sense of family every time I was on campus. My sophomore year of high school, I tore my ACL, and when all the other schools kind of fell back on my recruitment, Coach Staley was there encouraging me and pushing me through my recovery. Seeing that also showed that she was loyal, and that made me feel good about spending the next four years with her. I knew she was pretty hard-nosed and a tough coach, but that’s something I embraced and liked. I had coaches prior to her that acted the same way, so I felt like I would be prepared for whatever she threw at me.”

In addition to the many team accomplishments, Mitchell collected quite a few personal accolades. She was a three-time All-American, two-time SEC Player of the Year, and three-time First Team All-SEC honoree. She is one of only three Gamecocks to finish her career with at least 1,500 points, 300 assists and 200 steals. She also earned the prestigious South Carolina President’s Award, which is the highest annual award bestowed on a student-athlete, honoring achievement in athletics, academics, and community outreach over the course of a career.

“My best memories from South Carolina would be just to physically see the change in support the women’s basketball team received,” Mitchell said. “Going from having no one at games to literally becoming like overnight celebrities on campus was amazing. We couldn’t go anywhere without someone wanting a picture or an autograph at one point, so to me it was pretty cool to witness the shift firsthand.”

Tiffany Mitchell
“If you want to get to the league, South Carolina is the right place to go.”
Tiffany Mitchell  . 

After earning her degree in retail management, Mitchell was the ninth pick overall in the 2016 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever where she played for seven years. She played with the Minnesota Lynx in 2023 and spent the 2024 season with the Connecticut Sun and has also played several seasons overseas.

“South Carolina prepared me to compete at the next level just by Dawn instilling a certain level of discipline and how we carried ourselves,” Mitchell said. “She runs her team as if we are already pros and expects us to follow suit. Once you are out there at that next level, you either have to pick up things quick and fit in, or you are left behind. The cause of longevity would be from my ability to adapt. I feel like every season I have a different role, and if you aren’t able to excel in that role, that’s when it becomes hard to stick in the WNBA. Just because I am not asked to be the leading scorer, etc. on my team, I know my skillset and what I bring to the table that I know others can’t. Dawn for sure plays a part when it comes to that because she always preached to do what you do best. I think I’ve mastered that.

“Dawn and I don’t talk every day, but we keep in touch enough where she knows exactly what’s going on in my life. She’s always seeing how I’m doing and checking on me basketball wise, and with off the court things, she’s pretty on top of with me as well.”

When Mitchell first started in the WNBA, there weren’t many former Gamecocks in the league. Now, garnet and black alumni can be found all throughout the league.

“Getting to the league and being the lone Gamecock was pretty weird, but I wore it with pride and being in starting lineups and hearing ‘Tiffany Mitchell from the University of South Carolina,’ I had a lot of pride in my school and wanted to make sure if people didn’t know what college I graduated from before the game, they knew by the end of it,” Mitchell said. “When more people from South Carolina began to get drafted, it just started to solidify the dynasty I already knew South Carolina was. Having top draft picks in the draft consistently just paid homage to what Dawn created and still is, and that’s a Powerhouse that only has WNBA talent on the roster. If you want to get to the league, South Carolina is the right place to go.”

While she is still enjoying playing professionally, Mitchell knows there will be a time when she has to hang up the high tops, but she probably won’t slow down.

“When basketball is over for me, I want to stay in the fitness world,” Mitchell said. “I am currently a certified personal trainer and run my own online coaching business. Health and nutrition are something that I took a big interest in when I was in college and being in the weight room and developing your body and just becoming the best version of yourself. I’ve always had a passion for it, so now I want to be able to help others potentially develop that same passion.”

For now, Super Woman is looking forward to coming back to campus to take her place in the Hall of Fame.

“I’m looking forward to just the fellowship of the weekend,” Mitchell said. “I haven’t really been on campus since my jersey retirement last year and that was just for a quick day. I saw so many people that I haven’t seen in forever and have been a part of my journey. I’m just super-excited to be reunited with everyone and have a good time.”