‘South Carolina Future’ Athletes Inspired by National Championship Win

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)- The lady Gamecocks national championship win is making a big impact on local kids who say it’s even bigger than basketball.

The young athletes are driven to play a sport that is dear to their hearts.

“I like basketball because I started playing when I was three and my cousin pushed me to the limit and I got better and better,” 5th graders, Makiah Thompson said.

From 4th to 11th grade the female ballers joined a program with a fitting name, ‘South Carolina Future‘, which is an AAU program that helps young inspiring athletes to reach their goals.

“My goal is to be in the WNBA and to continue playing basketball because this is what I love to do,” point guard, Malayziah Etheredge, said.

The young ladies  have one common goal, and that’s to sink baskets like national champions.

“Since the Gamecocks won the national championship it made me know I could do anything I can just keep pushing through,” 9th grader, Erin Mines said.

“When they see those players playing their positions you can tell that a light bulb goes off,” coach, Keira Sessions said. “They watch to see what they need to do better on their own court.”

“Our kids get excited and they want to be the next A’ja Wilson, that’s how much of an impact it has on them,” City of Columbia Parks and Recreations Superintendent, Carey Rich said.

The young athletes ambitions go beyond the basket.

“Our goal is to get these girls in college and get scholarships, so they don’t have to pay for school,” Sessions said.

“I want to go to college to play basketball and then I want to become a pharmacist,” Mines said.

Some of the student athletes have scouts looking at them before they reach high school.