The Heart of a Champion: Zia Cooke’s Rise from South Carolina to the WNBA

The Coop is back with a brand-new episode that you've all been waiting for! Zia Cooke: From USC Champion to WNBA Rising Talent! Former South Carolina Gamecocks star and now a standout with the Seattle Storm. From humble beginnings in Toledo to earning her place in the WNBA, Zia opens up about her path to success, her game-changing mindset, and how her defense-first approach is shaping her career. She shares powerful stories of overcoming challenges, the lessons learned from her time at USC, and the impact of her mentors like Coach Dawn Staley.Learn more about our partnership with Garnett Trust & South Carolina Athletics: https://www.collegesportsco.com/news/...FOLLOW 1801 MEDIA HERE:► TWITTER | https://www.x.com/1801MediaCo► TIKTOK | https://www.tiktok.com/@1801mediaco?_...► INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/1801mediaco...► YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/@1801mediacoCHAPTERS:00:00 - Intro01:39 - Welcome Zia Cooke02:45 - Media Day04:13 - Working on Defense Strategies07:01 - Playing with Veteran Players10:02 - Community Involvement13:28 - NIL Opportunities14:06 - Future Endeavors and Goals17:07 - How Zia Got Into Basketball22:45 - Relationship with Dawn Staley25:30 - Favorite Year at South Carolina27:46 - Starting as a Freshman Player31:34 - Defining Moment in College Career33:32 - Coach Staley's Confidence in Players35:44 - Playing in Empty Arenas38:35 - Reconnecting with Former WNBA Players42:48 - Best Piece of Advice Received45:03 - If Not a Basketball Player, What Would Zia Be?#collegebasketball #ncaa #scbasketball #gamecocks #ncaabasketball #sec #wnba