3x champ Dawn Staley lists down reasons why South Carolina stands out as a team
Dawn Staley is considered one of the most accomplished figures in women's basketball. For the third consecutive time this year, she won the prestigious Naismith Coach of the Year award, cementing her status as one of the best female coaches in college basketball.
Throughout her time at South Carolina, she elevated the program to be regarded as the best in the nation by securing three NCAA championships along with making it to the Final Four six times and clinching eight SEC titles.
On Monday, the Gamecocks shared a video on Instagram featuring Staley and the team's journey, highlighting what makes South Carolina such a special and dynamic program. In the clip, Staley explains the reason why the Gamecocks are different from the rest.
"It's trusting your process. It's blending work and joy. It's walking to every arena and seeing Garnet and Black and showing the fans, our fans, they're pretty special," Staley said.
"It's having faith in the people standing next to you and celebrating their successes as much as your own. It's believing in the unexpected. It's uncommon."
The video displays South Carolina players celebrating the national championship win this year. It shows A'ja Wilson lifting the NCAA title and also gives glimpses of the team chemistry and closeness among the players built over the years under Staley's leadership.
Dawn Staley reveals why she wants to face Memphis in an exhibition game
South Carolina released its schedule for the upcoming season in mid-September, and many were surprised to see the Memphis Tigers listed as an exhibition opponent.
Before Dawn Staley's team gets started with its conference slate, it will travel to FedEx Forum, Memphis, as part of the St. Jude Tip-Off Classic on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
"The people showed me so much love that I’m really looking forward to it," Staley said last week. "And, then, we’re going to do whatever we need to do to raise awareness for St. Jude (Children’s Research Hospital).
"We’re going to have an opportunity to meet the decision-makers at St. Jude that help put this all on, which is great because it doesn’t happen without their innovative thinking."
Dawn Staley also mentioned she donates regularly to St. Jude and has been doing so for many years. Her team is also planning to visit the St. Jude campus this month.
The Gamecocks will play another friendly game against Clayton State before officially kicking off their regular season versus Michigan in Las Vegas.