Dawn Staley celebrates "50 years of USA basketball" in style with a formal snap alongside LeBron James, Steph Curry and more
South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley has been one of the most influential figures in the US basketball scene for well over two decades now. She attended the country's 50th anniversary party last Tuesday in Las Vegas.
Staley, a three-time national champion coach, marked the special occasion with a memorable moment, posing formally alongside numerous influential basketball personalities, including NBA stars LeBron James, Steph Curry, Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Anthony Davis and others.
Staley shared the photo on her Instagram with a caption that read:
"For personal use only. 50 years of USA Basketball."
The iconic image captured a blend of past and present basketball greatness, bringing icons from different eras together in a shared celebration.
Besides coaching college basketball, Dawn Staley also had the privilege of coaching the USA national women's team. She served as an assistant under Geno Auriemma and was named the head coach of Team USA in March 2017.
Her coaching tenure has been marked by significant achievements, including leading the team to a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a first-place finish at the 2018 World Cup in Spain, and consecutive gold medals at the FIBA AmeriCup in 2019 and 2021.
Dawn Staley picks her WNBA Rookie of the Year
The race for the WNBA Rookie of the Year between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark is going down the wire. Both of these players are producing great numbers in each game.
The Gamecocks' head coach, Dawn Staley, also made her pick for this season's ROY during an interview with TMZ Sports on Saturday. She believes Reese is currently ahead of Clark for the Rookie of the Year honor.
"So you're going to try and put me in a controversy, right?" Staley jokingly responded when asked about her opinion on the Rookie of the Year. "They both are having great years, don't get me wrong. But if I had to pick a Rookie of the Year at this time — today — it's Angel."
"Without a doubt. What she's been able to do with the double-doubles. But listen, the season is halfway through and Caitlin is coming. Caitlin is coming. If I had to pick today, it's Angel. But over the course of the season? I'll say this, whatever team makes the playoffs, that's our Rookie of the Year."
Dawn Staley, a former player, was picked by the Charlotte Sting in the 1999 WNBA draft. Later, she joined the Houston Comets in 2005 and the following year, she retired from playing. Staley has been named a WNBA All-Star six times.