Zia Cooke heading to WNBA Draft

Another member of “The Freshies” has announced her plans for next season.

Zia Cooke announced Tuesday her decision to forgo her final year of eligibility and enter the WNBA Draft.

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“Thank you to the FAMs, Coach Staley, and everyone who has supported me. I’m excited for what’s ahead as I enter the 2023 WNBA Draft!!! #forevertothee,” Cooke said in a post on Twitter.

Since the day she arrived on campus, Cooke has been a consistent starter for South Carolina. She started all 137 games that she played in during her four years.

She played in three Final Fours and won a national championship as a junior in 2022.

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Her career comes to an end on a disappointing note, as the Gamecocks lost to Iowa in the Final Four this season.

Cooke averaged 13.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists with South Carolina. She won a plethora of awards, including two-time All-SEC and two-time All-American to name a few.

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Cooke was a part of the infamous 2019 recruiting class that included five-stars Aliyah Boston (No. 3 nationally), Laeticia Amihere (No. 10), Brea Beal (No. 11), and three-star Olivia Thompson. She was the No. 4 player in the class.

Cooke becomes the fourth player to announce their decision to forgo another year of college basketball. Boston was the first to announce her decision followed by Beal and Amihere on Tuesday.

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