A'ja Wilson reacts to Dawn Staley debuting Aces star's logo visor in Paris Olympics
Team USA, led by A'ja Wilson, will open its women’s Olympic basketball campaign in Paris with a matchup against Japan on Monday. Wilson is back in the quadrennial games after winning the gold medal in Japan where the Americans were coached by Dawn Staley. Although Staley isn’t coaching the national team anymore, she supports Wilson and USAB.
Staley is in France as a member of the presidential delegation to the Olympics. She appeared in NBC’s coverage of the basketball games. During the interview with host Mike Tirico, she wore a visor that had Wilson’s logo.
A'ja Wilson reacted to a post on X, formerly Twitter, pointing out what Staley had on during her NBC interview:
Nike recently launched Wilson’s logo, the distinctive mark on her signature shoes. Although the sneakers will not come out until 2025, the “A” is already found in some apparel released by the brand this year.
A'ja Wilson played under Dawn Staley for four years in South Carolina. Together, they won a championship during the 2016-17 season. Although Wilson has been a pro since 2018, the WNBA legend remains a big fan and supporter of her former player.
Dawn Staley is likely attending A'ja Wilson and Team USA’s game against Japan
Dawn Staley is with First Lady Jill Biden and the presidential contingent at the Paris Olympics. The two were spotted watching and cheering for the US women’s water polo team that beat Greece 15-6 on Sunday. Staley said after the game that she and her group will watch a handful more games in the Olympics.
Although she hasn’t said it, Staley will likely catch the action between the US women’s basketball team against Japan. If there’s one sport she would be watching, it would have to be basketball.
Dawn Staley will support her former Team USA assistant Cheryl Reeve who now guides the star-studded women’s basketball team. Besides A'ja Wilson, the roster includes Diana Taurasi, Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd and others. A handful of the players played under Staley in Tokyo so the Hall of Famer will be excited to see them play again.
20 years ago, Staley was a flag bearer for Team USA in the 2004 Olympics where she won her last gold medal as a player. Two decades later, she is back in the event as part of a support group sent by the US president. If there’s any event she will not miss out on, it will be the Americans’ basketball games.