“It’s hard for people to market black people”: When Dawn Staley recalled narrative vs South Carolina’s championship-winning team.

Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks celebrate their 64-49 victory over the UConn Huskies in the NCAA national championship game at Target Center. Photo: Imagn

Dawn Staley isn’t afraid to discuss sensitive subjects, like racial bias in sports. The South Carolina Gamecocks coach was asked about that topic during her guest appearance on “The Breakfast Club” at Power 105.1 FM on Apr. 14, 2022.

Staley was invited to the show after leading the Gamecocks to their second NCAA title. South Carolina had finished the 2021-22 season with a 35-2 record, culminating with a 64-49 victory over Geno Auriemma’s UConn Huskies in the national championship game.

Radio host Charlamagne tha God pointed out to Staley that some people seem to find other things to talk about the Gamecocks besides basketball. He asked Staley if that was because she was a black woman.

“I don’t know, but you can only assume because they’re not gonna come out and say that,” Staley replied. (Timestamp 30:02)

Staley gave an example of what the host alluded to regarding her championship-winning team.

“After the championship, there was a stat put up. We were the team that scored the least of all national championship teams,” Staley said.

“What’s that got to do with anything? Look at our defense. We’re probably a very historical defensive team in the whole scheme of things, but I don’t know why they chose to do that.”

Dawn Staley then gave a frank assessment of why the Gamecocks were treated differently by some people and the media.

“Honestly, it’s hard for people to market black people,” Staley said. “They claim they don’t know how when it’s just very similar. Or just to stick with the facts. If you just stick with the facts, it’s easy to market a team.”

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Dawn Staley led South Carolina to NCAA title after historic 2021-22 season
Dawn Staley (right)

Dawn Staley entered the record books following South Carolina’s win over UConn, becoming the first Black coach in the history of NCAA Division I basketball (men’s or women’s) to win at least two national championships. Staley captured her first NCAA title in 2017 when the Gamecocks beat the No. 2 Mississippi State Bulldogs in the final.

Staley won her second title in style, handing Geno Auriemma and the Huskies their first loss in a national championship game. Destanni Henderson scored 26 points while Aliyah Boston recorded a double-double with 11 points and 16 boards for the Gamecocks, who led from start to finish.

They displayed their top-caliber defense, limiting Paige Bueckers to just 14 points on 6-of-13 shooting. She was the only player to score in double figures for the Huskies, who shot 4-of-16 from beyond the arc.