Gamecock Trio On Naismith Watch List

COLUMBIA, S.C. (USC SID) –South Carolina is one of two programs with three entries on the 2016 Naismith Trophy Midseason Watch List as Alaina Coates, Tiffany Mitchell and A’ja Wilson are on the 34-player list. It is the second-straight season that three Gamecocks have made the midseason list as Mitchell and Wilson are making repeat appearances, while it is Coates’ first selection.

Coates ranks among the nation’s top 35 in three stats this season, including leading the country in field goal percentage at .673. Her 12 double-doubles this season have already tied her previous career high and rank 16th in the nation. She is 31st in the country in rebounding with an SEC-best 10.0 boards per game. Coates averages a double-double both overall and in SEC play, during which she averages 12.4 points and 11.2 rebounds.

A two-time All-American, Mitchell has scored in double figures in all but two of South Carolina’s 23 games this season and ranks eighth in the SEC at 14.5 points per game. In SEC games, she ranks among the conference’s top 10 in five categories, coming in 12th in another. She is sixth in both scoring (15.1 ppg) and steals (2.0 spg) and comes in fourth in field goal percentage (.427) and free throw percentage (.814). Her 1.4 made 3s per game rank 10th, and she is 12th with 2.8 assists per game.

Wilson has been a dynamic force inside for South Carolina, leading the team in scoring with 16.5 points per game to rank fifth in the SEC. The league leader in blocked shots (3.1), she is second in double-doubles (10), third in field goal percentage (.539) and fourth in rebounding (9.0). She has led the Gamecocks in scoring 11 times and been the top rebounder in 10 games. Wilson has six 20-point games this season among her 18 in double digits.

No. 2/2 South Carolina is 22-1 on the season, including a 10-0 mark in SEC play, heading into tonight’s matchup with No. 16/19 Florida at 7 p.m. at Colonial Life Arena.

Naismith Trophy Midseason Watch List

Lindsay Allen, J., G, Notre Dame

Jillian Alleyne, Jr., G, Oregon

Ameryst Alston, Sr., G, Ohio State

Kristine Anigwe,Fr., C, California

Rachel Banham, Sr., G, Minnesota

Imani Boyette, Sr., C, Texas

Jordin Canada, So., G, UCLA

Alaina Coates, Jr., C, South Carolina

Nina Davis, Jr., F, Baylor

Makayla Epps, Jr., G, Kentucky

Aliyyah Handford, Sr., G, St. John’s

Moriah Jefferson, Sr., G, UConn

Chanise Jenkins, Sr., G, DePaul

Niya Johnson, Sr., G, Baylor

Jonquel Jones, Sr., F, George Washington

Brionna Jones, Jr., C, Maryland

Brittney Martin, Sr., F, Oklahoma State

Tiffany Mitchell, Sr., G, South Carolina

Kelsey Mitchell, So., G, Ohio State

Kelsey Plum, Jr., G, Washington

Aerial Powers, Jr., F, Michigan State

Shereesha Richards, Sr., F, Albany

Tabatha Richardson-Smith, Sr., G, Seton Hall

Jessica Shepard, Fr., F, Nebraska

Azura Stevens, So., F, Duke

Breanna Stewart, Sr., F, UConn

Morgan Tuck, Jr., F, UConn

Victoria Vivians, So., G, Mississippi State

Courtney Walker, Sr., G, Texas A&M

Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Jr., G, Maryland

Jamie Weisner, Sr., G, Oregon State

Courtney Williams, Sr., G, South Florida

A’ja Wilson, So., F, South Carolina