Former Gamecocks playing in Israel trying to come home

Field Level Media|published: Sun 1st March, 24:37 2026

Feb 22, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley claps following their defeat of the Mississippi Rebels at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Former South Carolina players Tiffany Mitchell, Mikiah Herbert Harrigan and Destiny Littleton are "in a war zone in Israel," according to Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley, who added that an effort is underway to get the players back to the United States.

In a social media post on X on Saturday, Staley wrote,"We are working a plan to get home. Let us pray for our loved ones to return home safely asap! Thank you in advance."

Per ESPN, a spokeswoman for South Carolina athletics had no further information on the players' situation amid the United States-Israel military strikes against Iran.

Littleton posted videos on X from Jerusalem that she was safe and heading to a teammate's home to take shelter.

"I'm just trying to stay calm," Littleton said. "I really don't want to even be out here on the streets. I'll keep you updated."

Along with South Carolina, the 26-year-old Littleton also played at Texas and USC during her college career from 2017-2023.

Mitchell, a starter on the Gamecocks' first Final Four team, played at the school from 2012-16 and was a two-time SEC Player of the Year. The 31-year-old has spent 10 seasons in the WNBA since the Indiana Fever selected her with the ninth pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft.

Herbert Harrigan, 27, has a championship ring from the 2016-17 season with the Gamecocks and played at the school until 2020. That year, she was the No. 6 pick in the WNBA draft by the Minnesota Lynx and also played for the Seattle Storm and Phoenix Mercury.

--Field Level Media