Three Gamecocks were drafted in the top ten picks of the WNBA Draft Thursday night, led by senior Alaina Coates.

The daft had a definite Gamecock feel. Dawn Staley, who actually took off her "net-lace" for the occasion, announced the top pick, Washington's Kelsey Plum, who went to San Antonio. Then Staley, who is one of the most decorated WNBA players in history, gave way to her players.

Coates was drafted next with the second overall by Chicago. The pick was announced by Sheryl Swoopes, Staley's former teammate on Team USA and the Houston Comets. Chicago is in rebuilding mode after trading former number two pick and league MVP Elena Delle Donne to acquire the second pick. Coates becomes the fourth center on Chicago's rosters, raising speculation she could still be traded.

Coates became the highest-drafted player in South Carolina program history, which had seen three players selected ninth, including Tiffany Mitchell last year. Coates was touted as a potential number one pick throughout the season, but saw Plum overtake her for the top spot.

Analyst LaChina Robinson called Coates the "most pro ready" player in the draft, and expects her to immediately contribute with defense and rebounding.

"This is a player who can have an impact right away," Rebecca Lobo said.

Coates' injured foot is still in a cast. She is supposed to have the cast removed in two weeks and then consult with doctors. Chicago's first preseason game is May 2, just three weeks away, but she expects to be ready to play.

"It's very exciting," Coates said. "My heart's pumping right now. I'm grateful they see my potential."

Just moments after Coates was selected, junior Allisha Gray went fourth overall to Dallas, becoming the second-highest drafted South Carolina player. She returns to the site of South Carolina's Final Four triumph, which propelled her to top five draft status.

"I don't think we've seen the best of what this lady can do," Robinson said, adding that Gray is the "most versatile player in this draft."

"She's got a real consistent toughness on the court," Lobo said. "It's not just scoring and rebounding, she does the little things."

Gray was not expected to go pro early, but made the surprise decision following the decision. Gray talked about her decision to enter the draft early.

"Timing is everything," she said. "Talking to my family we felt it was best to come out this year."

Kaela Davis, also a junior will join Gray in Dallas, drafted tenth overall. Also like Gray, it was Davis' play during South Carolina's Championship run that elevated her into the top ten. At 6-2, Davis has great size for a guard, and Lobo and Robinson raved about her pro potential.

"She has great potential," Lobo said. "A great pro body."

"Dallas got a steal," Robinson said. "She could be an All-Star in this league."

Davis' father Antonio, who played in the NBA, was in New York to support his daughter.

"You can't put it into words," he said. "I'm very proud of her, how she grew up this year."

Dallas is in major rebuilding mode after finishing with the second worst record in the WNBA last season (ahead of only San Antonio). It looked to the SEC to try to turn around its fortunes. In addition to selecting Gray and Davis, Dallas also picked Evelyn Akhator from South Carolina's heated rival Kentucky with the third overall pick. Both Gray and Davis are excited to be reunited in Dallas.

"It's definitely a great feeling getting to play with Kaela again," Gray said.

"The city itself was a beautiful and amazing city," Davis said. "I'm really excited to be going back."

Coates, Gray, and Davis became the seventh, eighth, and ninth Gamecocks taken in the WNBA Draft. Five of those selected have come during Staley's tenure. The Gamecocks had had three players total drafted in the first round before tonight.

"It's a beautiful thing to see," Staley said. "When you sit down with them and their families you talk about the other side, life outside of college."

Then Staley, who was named one of the WNBA's top 15 players of all time, offered some advice to her now former players.

"The best advice is, stay true to themselves," she said. "Use your veterans, use your coaches, and be students of the game."