Zia Cooke Named Finalist For Dawn Staley Award

Over the weekend, the Phoenix Club of Philadelphia announced the finalists for the 2023 Dawn Staley Award, and senior guard Zia Cooke was a part of this group. Cooke will be joining great company, becoming the fourth guard in school history to be named at least a finalist for the award, joining Destanni Henderson and award winners Tyasha Harris (2020) and Tiffany Mitchell (2015).

Cooke is a two-time First Team All-SEC selection and is the 10th in the SEC with a team best 15.3 points per game, all while shooting a career-best 40.8 percent from field. This year, averaging 26.4 minutes per game, on pace to be the lowest in her career, she's has managed to score a career-best 23.1 points per 40 minutes. The senior also lead the team with seven 20-point games this season, including her 24 point outing in the Gamecocks' SEC Tournament championship win over the Lady Volunteers.

It would be truly special if Zia Cooke won the award named after her head coach in Dawn Staley, someone she's long admired, after completing an unblemished season. The Dawn Staley Award was established in 2013 and is given annually to the student athlete who exemplifies a diverse playing style and a will to win. The winer will be announced at a virtual presentation on Thursday, April 6.

2023 Dawn Staley Award Finalists

Caitlin Clark, Iowa
Zia Cooke, South Carolina
Olivia Miles, Notre Dame
Haley Jones, Stanford

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