BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Fans at No. 1 South Carolina’s Elite Eight win over No. 2 Duke on Sunday might have noticed a row of people wearing neon yellow amidst the sea of blue and maroon in the stands.
Those neon men are the Gamecocks’ practice squad, known as the Highlighters.
The Highlighters were able to travel to the Birmingham Regional thanks to an NIL first: This practice squad has an NIL deal with OOFOS, a shoe brand. This partnership was arranged as a Christmas gift from South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley.
“So in the past, we’ve always gotten shoes, like I’ve always gotten Jordans,” fourth-year Highlighter Benjamin White said. “And then this past year, she was like, ‘I want to do something better,’ and that’s how she got in touch with OOFOS and got us an NIL deal.”
OOFOS paid for the Highlighters’ trip to Birmingham, White said. As the Gamecocks’ practice squad, the Highlighters play a big role in the team’s success, especially close games like South Carolina had Sunday.
“They always take the ball from us,” junior point guard Raven Johnson said. “They low key be bullying us in a way, but it prepares us for moments like this. Like they make sure we’re ready.”
When asked during the game versus Duke if they could anticipate what plays Duke was running, White responded confidently: “Oh yeah. We just ran all their plays yesterday.”
Joining the Highlighters involves much more than a signup sheet. The team hosts a tryout each fall, and part of…
