Gamecocks alumni are celebrating. Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams earned trips to their respective Final Four, but the men fell to Gonzanga 77-73 in the semifinal round. That left it to the women to bring home the NCAA Championship title. Led by All-America junior forward A’ja Wilson and with a ferocious performance by Bronx native Bianca Cuevas-Moore, University of South Carolina won its first national title in basketball by defeating Mississippi State University 67-55.
“The girls genuinely believed in Dawn Staley as a coach and you can see they’re out there playing for her; it was exciting to watch,” said track star Natasha Hastings, a New York City native that attended South Carolina. She said Gamecocks coaches have a depth of commitment to their student-athletes and in return the student-athletes have a passion to work hard and perform well.
“For Staley to be a Black female coaching in South Carolina, that can’t be left out of the discussion,” said Hastings, who noted that the Confederate flag flew at the Statehouse just two years ago. “For her to be such an inspiration to not just the girls on her team, but also to girls in the state of South Carolina, speaks volumes.”
It was a thrilling Final Four filled with intense games and unexpected wins, most notably when Mississippi State ended University of Connecticut’s 111-game winning streak with a 66-64 buzzer-beating overtime win in the semifinal. South Carolina defeated Stanford University 62-53 in the other semifinal. The Gamecocks dominated the Bulldogs in the final, especially Wilson with 23 points and 10 rebounds, which earned her Most Outstanding Player.
For Staley’s friends, it was wonderful to see her win the National Championship that eluded her as a player. Staley’s Olympic teammate DeLisha Milton-Jones, who just last week was named women’s basketball head coach at Pepperdine University, said she treasures the basketball and life wisdom that Staley shared.
“Dawn is someone who is strong-willed, tough as nails and relentless in her approach,” said Milton-Jones. “The foundation of everything that she represents is all based on truth and love.”
As the Gamecocks accepted the trophy on Sunday evening, Staley thanked not only her current assistant coaches, but also all those who previously worked with her.
“She never forgets … and she repays you for a lifetime with loyalty,” Milton-Jones said. “When A’ja spoke about the Gamecocks [Wilson decided to stay in her home state of South Carolina for college because of Staley] … and the decision she made, that relationship was built within recruiting. For her to say that Dawn was truthful and honest … that said everything.”
With the passing of legendary Tennessee coach Pat Summitt last year, some in the game feel Staley has taken up the mantle as the most prominent women’s coach.
“She’s changing what leadership looks like in the women’s game,” said Milton-Jones. “Whether they win another championship or not, her imprint on the women’s game will forever be there.”