Alaina Coates calls ESPN criticism of her ‘unprofessional’
The South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team won their first national championship on Sunday. However, all wasn’t roses earlier in the day.
Alaina Coats was one of the more important players for the Gamecocks this season. In 28 games, she averaged 12.9 points and a team-leading 10.7 rebounds per game. However, she was unable to participate in the NCAA Tournament due to an ankle injury she suffered during the SEC Tournament.
Coates was not with the team on Sunday and, prior to the game, her absence was addressed on ESPN. It obviously did not sit well with Coats, who took to Twitter to address the comments made on the telecast.
I know I'm supposed to wait until the season is over but this needs to be addressed…I CAN'T TRAVEL BECAUSE THE MEDICAL STAFF SAID SO
— Lay Lay (@Aye_itslaylay) April 2, 2017
This unprofessionalism is ridiculous
— Lay Lay (@Aye_itslaylay) April 2, 2017
On Saturday, head coach Dawn Staley explained why the medical staff felt it would be best if Coates did not attend the Final Four.
“Our medical staff just thinks it’s best that she not move around on it and not jump around because the excitement of being at a Final Four, you don’t want to hurt that ankle any further,” Staley told The State. “She was going to come and our medical staff intervened, and we just thought it was best that she just stay off of it.”
Even though Coates indicated she was supposed to wait until after the season, it’s apparent what was said on ESPN bothered her enough to cause her to make a statement publicly on Sunday. Not surprisingly, Coates was in a much better mood after the game.
National Champ Status ?? *flips hair*
— Lay Lay (@Aye_itslaylay) April 3, 2017
Excuse me *flips ponytail*
— Lay Lay (@Aye_itslaylay) April 3, 2017
