“I don’t want anything besides our players getting generational wealth”: When Dawn Staley refused the desire of statue at South Carolina

Dawn Staley on the sidelines during the win against Charleston Southern. – Source: Jeff Blake, Imagn

WNBA legend Dawn Staley is seemingly matching her playing career with the success of her current coaching career. As the main tactician for the South Carolina Gamecocks, Staley has won three national championships — including the one the team is defending this season.

As her long tenure has reaped significant success, Staley disapproves of the idea of getting a statue at the school and instead wants her players to get all of the benefits. In an episode of Breakfast Club Power 105.1 FM in 2022, the three-time Olympic gold medal-winning player detailed the kind of recognition she’d rather see.

“No (on the statue). Let the players get that,” Staley said (Timestamp: 37:54). ?I don’t want anything besides our players getting generational wealth. That’s all I want.”

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With her long list of standout alumni, Staley may just be doing just that. She was at the helm throughout the college championship days of WNBA stars such as A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston as there is no doubt that their collegiate mentor made a mark on their journeys today.

This season, Staley has steered the second-ranked Gamecocks to an 11-1 record on the heels of a six-game winning streak. With the goal of repeating as national champions, she has budding stars in Joyce Edwards and Te-Hina Paopao to develop into not just being title contenders again but also reaching the WNBA mountaintop one day.

It goes day by day for Staley and the Gamecocks toward their aspirations as they meet the Wofford Terriers for their first matchup after the holiday break on Sunday before Southeastern Conference games commence next month.

Dawn Staley says she owes the game of basketball

Dawn Staley coaching Team USA Women in the Olympics. – Source: Imagn

Besides mentoring players, Dawn Staley said that she’s also had her fair share of honing up-and-coming coaches. By giving them opportunities to succeed, the former Charlotte Sting and Houston Comets guard talked about how she is doing all of this purely for the love of basketball as she has a great debt to the sport.

“I owe basketball a debt that I’ll probably won’t be able to repay. … The more I do it, the more things come to me. It’s crazy,” Staley said (Timestamp: 38:15).

If South Carolina plays its cards well this year, it can go back-to-back as national champions to add to Staley’s already-stacked resume.