South Carolina is seeking a waiver from the NCAA to allow Te’a Cooper, a Tennessee transfer to the Gamecocks, to play immediately this season, coach Dawn Staley announced Thursday.
Cooper was one of the most highly regarded players in the nation coming out of high school, ranking as the 12th best player in her class, according to ESPN. She was ranked as high as No. 1 by D1Spects.com.
In her freshman year with the Lady Volunteers, Cooper started 15 games and appeared in 36, averaging 8.6 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2 assists per game.
Cooper missed her sophomore season rehabbing from a torn ACL before deciding to transfer this past offseason and choosing South Carolina.