Their close friend had recently been diagnosed with cancer, and the girls, unwilling to stand by helplessly, decided to take action.

They set up a booth at a busy intersection, offering car washes for donations, hoping to raise enough money for their friend’s costly chemotherapy treatments. The community quickly got behind them, with neighbors and strangers alike lining up to show their support.

What no one expected, however, was the surprise guest who would soon drive into their fundraiser. As the girls washed car after car, a sleek black vehicle pulled into the lot.

When the door opened, they were stunned to see none other than Dawn Staley, the legendary basketball coach of the University of South Carolina women’s basketball team.

Known for her powerful leadership on and off the court, Staley had caught wind of the girls’ fundraising efforts through social media and wanted to lend her support in person.

Without hesitation, Staley approached the girls and handed over a generous donation. But that wasn’t all. In a move that left everyone speechless, she rolled up her sleeves and jumped in to help wash the cars. Her presence and willingness to pitch in not only boosted the spirits of the girls but also brought a wave of excitement to the entire community.

Staley’s unexpected appearance was a reminder of the profound impact of kindness.

Her support transcended beyond a monetary contribution—her actions demonstrated that when communities come together, they can achieve extraordinary things, especially in the face of adversity. The girls’ fundraiser was a resounding success, all thanks to an unforgettable act of generosity.

Dawn Staley, The Top-Paid Black Head Coach In NCAA Women’s Basketball, Invests In A League With The Highest Average Salaries In Women’s Sports History.

Dawn Staley continues to offer a guiding hand to basketball star Aliyah Boston.

The pair first teamed up at The University of South Carolina. Staley serves as the school’s head coach of women’s basketball and is currently signed to a historic seven-year contract that has made her the highest-paid head coach in NCAA Women’s Basketball, as

previously reported. Boston played under Staley’s leadership from 2019 to 2023. Together, they won one national titles against the University of Connecticut in 2022, notes NBC-10 Philadelphia.

Boston’s collegiate career would position her as the school’s all-time leader in overall rebounds, offensive and defensive rebounds, blocked shots in SEC games, double-doubles, and triple-doubles, among others, according to the WNBA. She is also a four-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year, two-time National Player of the Year, and two-time SEC Player of the Year.

Throughout it all, Staley has remained front and center as a fan even as Boston ventured into the WNBA as the 2023 No. 1 draft pick selected by the Indiana Fever.

“Coach Staley has honestly been a second mom to me since I stepped foot at South Carolina,”

Boston told AFROTECH during a virtual press conference on Jan. 7, 2025

. “I still talk to her all the time, about anything. I feel like that’s what makes her so special.”

While the iconic duo are currently separated on the court, they have reunited once again through their roles in rising women’s sports league Unrivaled, which plays a 3-on-3 basketball game and features six teams with 36 players.

Boston currently plays with the Vinyl basketball club alongside Dearica Hamby, Jordin Canada, Arike Ogunbowale, Rhyne Howard, and Rae Burrell.

Staley is among the investors in Unrivaled, which has raised at least $35 million to date, as AFROTECH

“For her to be an investor, I think it just shows how much she truly wants to continue to invest in women’s sports because she knows exactly where this can go, and she sees the talent,” Boston said during the press conference. “So, it’s always amazing just having her as a coach, as a mentor, definitely as an investor in something like this.”