South Carolina Coach Works to Bring Players Home from Israel
South Carolina women’s basketball coach, Dawn Staley, announced on Saturday that the university is actively working to bring three former players back from Israel amid ongoing military actions involving the United States and Iran.
In a post shared on X, Staley mentioned that WNBA player Tiffany Mitchell, along with former Phoenix Mercury forward Mikiah Herbert Harrigan and Team USA guard Destiny Littleton, were in Israel during this tumultuous time.
Staley urged people to “please pray for us,” tagging the players while referring to the difficulties faced in “the Israeli war zone.” She expressed hopes for their safe return, thanking supporters in advance.
So far, neither the WNBA nor the University of South Carolina has commented publicly on the situation. In the meantime, Littleton, who played for the Gamecocks from 2019 to 2022, has shared updates on social media, reassuring everyone that she is safe. In one video, she mentioned she is heading to a shelter, describing the current situation as unfortunate.
Mitchell and Herbert Harrigan both reshared Staley’s post but haven’t added comments. Littleton currently plays for Hapoel Lev Jerusalem in the Israeli Women’s Basketball Premier League, having signed with them in November. She’s also a USA Basketball alum, having earned a gold medal at the 2017 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup.
Mitchell, who signed with the Seattle Storm after a stint with the Las Vegas Aces, has also played overseas, including in Russia. It’s unclear if she’s currently with a team, but she recently indicated on Instagram that she’d signed with the Beijing Great Wall in China.
As for Herbert Harrigan, a notable WNBA first-round draft pick, she played with the Mercury until 2024 and later signed with Erizur Ramla in Israel’s league.
In more extensive news, the U.S. has conducted coordinated missile strikes in Iran, prompting Iran to retaliate with missile attacks directed at U.S. facilities in various locations, including Israel. Reports suggest that missiles also targeted the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet and involved attacks on Saudi Arabia and Jordan as well.
