Coach Dawn Staley‘s legend hasn’t been forged by pure chance; it’s resulted from hard work and attention to detail. Part of that work lies in recruiting the best players available, something she has excelled at throughout the years.

That’s why it’s no surprise she’s hands-on regarding top prospects, like the July 1-3 visit from a rising star.

'Watch what you say:' Dawn Staley says journalist overheard disparaging Gamecocks

Dawn Staley Gives Star Treatment to McKenna Woliczko

This week, the South Carolina Gamecocks welcomed McKenna Woliczko, the No. 6 high school prospect in the country in the Class of 2026, for an official visit. Photos and videos shared on social media by the player herself show that Staley took the visit with the utmost seriousness.

In one of the shared images, Woliczko can be seen playing Jumbo UNO with a group of Gamecock players. Staley was also participating in the game:

Since the end of 2024, Woliczko had stated that South Carolina is among the programs that most appeal to her. She recently revealed that she narrowed her list of schools to four: South Carolina, Ohio State, Iowa, and USC.

But when describing to On3 the details that most interest her when choosing a university, the star player practically called the Gamecocks by name:

“I want a chance to be successful,” she said.

“And I want to go to a school that’s going to set me up for the future, a school that has WNBA experience, Olympic experience, Team USA experience.”

“I want to go to a school that has the possibility of winning a national championship and being the best school in the country.”

Speaking specifically about South Carolina, Woliczko said the following in that 2024 interview:

“I visited them in July of 2023 after an Adidas tournament. That was really cool. I mean, it was just very cool to see THE Dawn Staley in person and think ‘This could be my coach.’”

If Woliczko wants a program with WNBA, Olympic, and NCAA success, it’s hard to find a better fit than Staley’s Gamecocks.

Staley has led South Carolina to three NCAA Tournament victories and nine SEC Championships. She’s built one of the most dominant programs in the country.

The Gamecocks have featured WNBA stars such as two-time MVP and two-time league champion A’ja Wilson and 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston. If those aren’t enough examples, other names, such as Zia Cooke, Allisha Gray, Laeticia Amihere, and many more, could be added.

Staley won three Olympic gold medals as a player and another while leading Team USA at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Many WNBA stars she has developed have also competed in the Olympic Games.

Regarding winning the NCAA Tournament and being the best team in the country, Staley’s team has consistently been among the favorites over the past decade.

The Gamecocks are the only team to have won three NCAA titles in the last eight years.

The bottom line is that whether Woliczko commits to South Carolina or not remains to be seen, but being coached by Staley is an opportunity any player would want.