Destiny Littleton, a former NCAA and Team USA women’s basketball player, shared a harrowing video on Saturday, detailing her escape from an Iranian counterattack in Israel.
In her footage, she captures the chaos as she and other civilians scream in fear while drones buzz overhead.
Littleton, who celebrated a national championship with South Carolina in 2022 under coach Dawn Staley, also earned a gold medal with the U.S. team at the 2017 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup. Currently, she plays for Hapoel Jerusalem in Israel’s First Division.
On that day, she posted a video on Instagram showing her taking shelter in a local air raid facility as Iranian attacks began targeting Israel.
Following military actions by the U.S. and Israel against Iran, the country responded with ballistic missiles and drone strikes on several cities, including Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem.
In her video, sirens blare as she flees the shelter, and at one point, she points her camera at what seems to be a missile streaking through the sky.
Another segment shows her in a frantic search for shelter amid the wailing sirens. “I’m trying to find the vault, but I can’t find it,” she exclaims, scrambling down an empty alley. “Oh no, I don’t think this is right.”
As she ascended stone steps outside, she heard an explosion and cried out, “Oh, it’s gone!”
Shortly afterward, she indicated her intention to leave the shelter for a teammate’s house, expressing discomfort with the cramped conditions. “The bomb shelter I was just in couldn’t fit five people. Nope, not doing that,” she remarked.
Upon arriving at her teammate’s high-rise apartment, she mentioned hearing several explosions nearby. “Thumps everywhere,” she said, offering a glimpse of Jerusalem’s skyline.
In her final video from that night, she appeared distressed, sweating, and revealed an explosion had happened close by. “No sirens now, but something’s exploding in the sky! I’m pretty sure they’re missiles or drones; we saw several of them explode quite near!” she shouted.
Later on, another drone came into view, raising everyone’s anxiety further. “Over there! Over there! I don’t think that’s a star,” she exclaimed, turning the camera toward it. Five more drones then entered the frame, and an explosion occurred in the distance.
“I think that’s one hell of a drone!” she added, capturing the moment as a drone flew above them, which caused a wave of panic in the room.
Nearby, another civilian yelled, “Guys! Oh my god!” As the drone continued to buzz and explode farther away, Littleton and her group then left the apartment, looking rattled and overwhelmed as they headed for the bunker, with Littleton visibly shaken.
As of now, she hasn’t shared any follow-up posts regarding the incident.
Coach Dawn Staley mentioned on Saturday that the university is working to ensure Littleton and two other players are returned safely amid the unrest, alongside WNBA veteran Tiffany Mitchell and former Phoenix Mercury forward Mikiah Herbert Harrigan.
“Please pray for our @GamecockWBB, @TiffMitch25, @2121Mikiah, @dstnylttltn24, all in a conflict zone in Israel,” her post stated. “We’re planning to get them home quickly and safely. Thanks in advance for your support.”
On that same day, the U.S. joined Israel launched an offensive against Iran, and President Trump encouraged the Iranian people to take control once the military operations concluded.
In response, Iran launched missile attacks targeting U.S. bases throughout the Middle East, with reports indicating around 40 missiles hit Israel.
