Former players from the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball program — Tiffany Mitchell, Mikiah Herbert Harrigan and Destiny Littleton — are currently in Israel amid escalating military tensions. Head coach Dawn Staley described the situation as being “in a war zone in Israel” and said efforts are in motion to bring the former Gamecocks back to the United States safely.
In a message shared Saturday on X, 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.”
According to ESPN, a spokesperson for South Carolina athletics said there were no additional updates regarding the players’ circumstances as tensions intensified between Israel and Iran.
Littleton provided reassurance through videos posted from Jerusalem, explaining that she was safe and on her way to a teammate’s residence for 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.”
The 26-year-old guard competed collegiately from 2017 to 2023, spending time at South Carolina, Texas Longhorns women’s basketball and USC Trojans women’s basketball.
Mitchell, now 31, was a key contributor on South Carolina’s first Final Four squad and earned two SEC Player of the Year honors during her 2012–16 tenure. She has played 10 seasons in the WNBA after being selected ninth overall in 2016 by the Indiana Fever.
Herbert Harrigan, 27, helped the Gamecocks secure a national championship during the 2016–17 season. She was drafted No. 6 overall in 2020 by the Minnesota Lynx and has also played for the Seattle Storm and Phoenix Mercury.
