Dawn Staley Doesn’t Remain Silent After Magic Johnson Responds to WNBA Coach’s Heartfelt Gesture

Magic Johnson did what he’s always done best—connect, inspire, and uplift. Back in the day, during a Lakers game, Magic was about to inbound the ball when he spotted Peter Guber and Joe Smith sitting courtside. Out of nowhere, he turned and asked, “How do I get into business?” But they saw he meant it. That simple courtside moment led to a meeting with Michael Ovitz, who gave him life-changing advice: “Read business magazines and network with people smarter than you.” Fast forward, and now he is part-owner of the Dodgers and has his hand in a dozen 24 Hour Fitness gyms. Now, Johnson often champions others, just like Ovitz did for him. And recently, he showed praise and support for college basketball coach Dawn Staley’s latest project. The coach was also quick to return the gesture with gratitude and appreciation.

The former WNBA All-Star is known for her astounding work to guide and lead the Gamecocks to three NCAA championships. The latest one was in 2024. She also coached Team USA to a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. Staley chronicled her journey to success in her book, Uncommon Favor: Basketball, North Philly, My Mother, and the Life Lessons I Learned from All Three. The WNBA All-Star also sent a copy of her book to the Los Angeles Lakers legend.

Magic Johnson quickly took to social media to give Staley a shout-out. “Thank you Coach @dawnstaley for gifting me a copy of your new book Uncommon Favor! Congratulations and keep blessing the world,” he captioned the post.  The coach reshared the clip to express her gratitude and wrote, “It’s all love Magic!!  Thank you for your leadership in every space you have touch!  Keep leading!  Keep smiling! Keep being magically you!!”

She played for the University of Virginia and went on to win 3 gold medals with Team USA. From the Raymond Rosen Housing Projects to the WNBA and now coaching, Staley shares the hardships and highlights that shaped her. She is the only person to have received a Naismith Award in basketball as both a player and a coach.

This book was released this May. The most intriguing part of the book is the title. Why did she name her book Uncommon Favor?

Why did Dawn Staley name her book ‘Uncommon Favor’?

Staley is one of the most celebrated figures in women’s college basketball. However, a few decades ago, she was uncertain whether she could handle the job. She had no prior coaching experience. Those were her initial doubts.

In a conversation with Today, the coach shared that she wasn’t ready when athletic director Dave O’Brien first urged her to take over as coach of Temple University’s women’s basketball team. It took some serious convincing, but she eventually agreed. But what ultimately drew her in? The competitiveness and the challenge. She was given the task of turning the program around, and Dawn Staley, driven and intrigued, found her calling.

In line with her hunger for challenges, she arrived at the University of South Carolina in 2008. She took the team to make seven NCAA Final Four appearances in the past 10 tournaments. When it comes to her awe-inspiring success and the incredible heights she took South Carolina to, Staley credits her roots and her family. She fondly recalled her mother, Estelle Staley, whom she believed had the strength of “ten men.”

Staley remembered how her mother encouraged her with quiet strength and helped her stay focused on her dreams. She attributes much of her success to her upbringing in North Philadelphia and the influence of her mother, something she believes is not a common source of strength for many.

This deep connection to her roots inspired the title of her book. “The name of my book is ‘Uncommon Favor’ for a reason. I am favored by God with how my life has ended up,” Dawn Staley told Today. Through it, she hopes people will find something they can relate to.