Boy Saves Dawn Staley by Shouting: ‘Your Brakes Are Damaged, Don’t Go!’ Next Day, He Gets an Unexpected Visit…
It was an ordinary afternoon when 13-year-old Malik Johnson noticed something unusual while playing basketball outside his apartment complex. A sleek black SUV had just parked nearby, and its driver was none other than Dawn Staley, legendary basketball coach and Olympic gold medalist. She had stopped briefly to greet a friend.
As Malik admired the sports icon from a distance, he noticed something alarming: fluid dripping from beneath her car. His uncle, a mechanic, had taught him the basics of car maintenance, and Malik immediately recognized it as a sign of failing brakes.
Before Staley could get back into her vehicle, Malik sprinted toward her, waving his arms. “Excuse me, ma’am!” he called out. “Your brakes are damaged—don’t go! It’s not safe!” Startled but intrigued, Staley paused and inspected her vehicle. A quick call to roadside assistance confirmed Malik’s observation.
Grateful and shaken by what could have been a serious accident, Staley thanked Malik profusely and left the scene in a rideshare.
The next day, Malik got the surprise of a lifetime. A car pulled up in front of his apartment, and out stepped Dawn Staley with a brand-new basketball, a signed jersey, and tickets to an upcoming game. But she didn’t stop there—she spent the afternoon shooting hoops with Malik and learning more about his dream of one day becoming a professional basketball player.
“Your quick thinking saved me, Malik,” Staley said. “You’ve got a bright future ahead of you, and I’ll be cheering for you every step of the way.”
Malik’s small act of awareness not only prevented a potential tragedy but also created a life-changing moment he’d never forget. It’s proof that bravery and kindness can leave a lasting impact on the world.
Dawn Staley addresses 2024 SEC championship fight, delay ahead of South Carolina vs LSU game
COLUMBIA — When a rivalry is discussed, it’s almost necessary to ask what happened the last time two specific teams played.
For South Carolina women’s basketball and LSU, the last time they met was in the SEC Tournament championship on March 10, 2024 when a fight broke out and caused a nearly 20-minute delay in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
Six combined players from both LSU and South Carolina’s roster were ejected from the championship game and South Carolina went on to win 79-72.
Now, one day before tipoff between the No. 2 Gamecocks (18-1, 6-0 SEC) and No. 4 Tigers (20-0, 5-0), coach Dawn Staley was asked if that put any extra spark or influence on this year’s game. The two teams tip off at 5 p.m. (ET) on Friday.
“Obviously we brought it to their attention,” Staley said. “We feel like the officiating is going to be on it at the start of the game. Some of the things that we did in that game, we’re not going to be able to do. Some of the things they did, they’re not be able to do. So for us it’s about adjusting to how the officiating is going to be. It’s probably going to be tight …. but I don’t think our teams are in the place or in that head space.”
South Carolina vs LSU game delayed one day
A wrinkle in this year’s anticipated game is that fans had to wait an extra day. The game was moved from Thursday to Friday, still in Colonial Life Arena due to travel issues brought on by Winter Storm Enzo. Baton Rouge, where LSU is located, got eight inches of snow on Tuesday.
Regardless, it’s one of the most talked about games of the women’s college basketball season so far.
“It’s a little bit harder a day later,” Staley said. “You get yourself amped up and then the game is pushed back. Get an extra day of prep time but something that is kind of weird too because we’re just not used to having three days … but it’s awesome for our sport, our league and to be able to participate in rivalry games and hopefully we won’t disappoint by putting some great basketball on the floor.”
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The game will be broadcast on ESPN, but “College GameDay” will no longer be part of the broadcast.
“Anytime you can promote our game is great,” Staley said when asked if not having “GameDay” there changes the excitement levels surrounding the game. “Being on ‘College GameDay’ is a great thing. I think they’re going to miss out on some things not being here so no, we have to play the game, I got probably one less interview to do,” Staley said with a laugh.
