DALLAS – South Carolina women's basketball had some special guests to help channel some energy from the program's first national title in 2017 on Friday.

Former Gamecocks A'ja Wilson and Allisha Gray came to watch their alma mater play in the Final Four against Iowa. Both played key roles in South Carolina's 2017 title, which they won in the very same building. Wilson had a game-high 23 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Gamecocks past Mississippi State, and Gray added 18 points and 10 rebounds of her own.

Wilson and Gray sported their former coach Dawn Staley's jerseys. Wilson wore Staley's bright blue No. 5 Charlotte Sting jersey and Gray wore her red Team USA jersey.

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Both alums – who are now playing in the WNBA – are very involved in the program, making trips to Columbia for practices and reaching out frequently to current players.

Wilson is the reigning WNBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, winning a WNBA title with the Las Vegas Aces last season. Gray, the 2017 Rookie of the year, will be a key piece on the Atlanta Dream, where she was traded this offseason.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: A'ja Wilson, Allisha Gray wear Dawn Staley jerseys to Final Four game