Dawn Staley Addresses South Carolina’s Depth, Newcomers, No. 1 Ranking and More Ahead of Benedict College Exhibition

1. Brooks’ Eligibility and the Ongoing Court Case

Reporter: There was a court hearing recently regarding Brooks’ eligibility. Are you concerned that she could be playing now but potentially become ineligible again midway through the season? What is your level of concern?

Dawn Staley: The injunction is in April, so it will be well beyond the season. I think we feel good about it.

Analysis: Staley expressed confidence that the legal timeline would not disrupt Brooks’ availability during the upcoming season. Her response suggests that the coaching staff is comfortable proceeding with its plans rather than allowing uncertainty surrounding the case to become a distraction.

2. Brooks’ Transition to Point Guard

Reporter: You’ve been preparing Brooks for this moment. How has she adjusted to learning the point guard position?

Dawn Staley: You just put her out there. She’s been with us for a couple of weeks now, and I think she understands what we want. She has to do a really good job of improving our second unit.

We need to get that group to a place where we can count on them and where their performances are predictable in terms of what we can get from them.

Analysis: Staley is emphasizing the importance of building a dependable second unit. Brooks’ development at point guard could help stabilize the reserves, but the coach’s comments make it clear that learning the role is only part of the equation. She must also help the group execute consistently and give the coaching staff confidence in its rotations.

3. What Staley Wants to See Against Benedict College

Reporter: What are you looking for from your team tomorrow night?

Dawn Staley: I want to see some continuity and fluidity offensively, and begin to establish what our identity will be on both sides of the basketball. I also want us to play somebody different.

We haven’t played anyone different in a while, and hopefully facing a different opponent will break up the monotony of going against ourselves in practice over the past couple of weeks.

Analysis: Staley wants more than a victory. She is looking for signs that the team can translate its practice work into cohesive basketball against outside competition. Offensive rhythm, defensive identity and the ability to adjust to a different opponent will be important indicators of progress.

4. Building Chemistry With So Many Newcomers

Reporter: With so many newcomers on the team, what have practices been like as you work to build chemistry heading into the season?

Dawn Staley: It’s been good. This is always the time of the season when you’re trying to figure out who will start and what your substitution patterns will look like.

For us, it has been about sitting back and seeing who is making plays, who is playing the right way, and who we can count on from a communication and leadership standpoint.

We have a lot of players, obviously, but it’s encouraging to see our experienced players return and take the lead. They’re trying to get our younger players to understand the task in front of us, which is very challenging.

Our experienced players have been there before and have succeeded, so we need to pass that knowledge along to the younger players.

Analysis: Staley is evaluating more than individual talent. Playmaking, communication, leadership and decision-making will determine who earns playing time. Her emphasis on experienced players guiding newcomers also highlights the importance of preserving South Carolina’s championship culture while integrating a changing roster.

5. Playing Time and Rotation Opportunities

Reporter: You played a lot of players in the first exhibition against Michigan and Charleston. Do you anticipate getting more players on the court and exploring additional rotations?

Dawn Staley: Yes. Everybody is good to go except Kaylee, so everyone else should see some minutes tomorrow.

Analysis: With most of the roster available, the Benedict College game provides Staley with another opportunity to assess her personnel. Giving players minutes can help her evaluate combinations, identify dependable reserves and determine how much flexibility she will have when the regular season begins.

6. Justine’s Role and Readiness

Reporter: [Question about a player and the lineup.]

Dawn Staley: Yes, I do. No, not yet. It’s an experienced one, though.

I really like Justine. I like the fact that she’s disciplined. If we tell her to do something, she does it exactly as instructed.

For her, it’s about spacing the floor. She’s also not a bad defender, especially with her length, and I think she has done a great job rebounding.

I value her basketball intelligence and feel for the game. When her number is called, she just has to be ready. Based on what she has done here, I believe she will be.

Analysis: Staley values Justine’s discipline, length, rebounding and understanding of the game. Those qualities could make her a useful option when South Carolina needs floor spacing or defensive versatility. Staley’s message is that a player does not have to start to contribute meaningfully; she must remain prepared to execute when an opportunity arrives.

7. What Feels Different About This Team?

Reporter: With Summer Turner and the new players and freshmen, what feels different about this team? What have you seen in the chemistry they have built heading into the season?

Dawn Staley: The difference is that some players have to play in their natural positions, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Right now, we’re making things work.

I like the impact our older players are having and how they have embraced the younger players. They’re trying to get them to a place where we can continue the success we’ve had.

I don’t know if I’m surprised, but I like the way Gotti is playing. I’m not surprised because she’s quite a player.

The way she has practiced every day on both sides of the basketball has been impressive. She has been poised, self-assured and consistent.

Last year, she was hurt a lot and was in and out of practice. This year, she has been available for all the practices and has been very consistent. I’m happy we have her, and I’m pleased with how much she has grown. She has taken practice more seriously and has been healthy enough to participate consistently.

Analysis: Staley’s comments point to two important developments: players are getting opportunities in their natural positions, and returning players are taking greater responsibility for leadership. Her praise for Gotti particularly highlights the importance of health and consistency. After a season disrupted by injuries, regular practice participation can help a player build confidence, improve chemistry and make a bigger contribution.

8. The Schedule Before Traveling to France

Reporter: What does the schedule look like after tomorrow night? How much time will the team have before traveling to France, and will you arrive early?

Dawn Staley: We’ll have Saturday off, along with Sunday and Monday. I think there’s one more day off before we leave on Wednesday. We’ll practice at 6 a.m. Wednesday and then leave that afternoon.

Analysis: The schedule gives South Carolina a brief window to recover, prepare and organize before its international trip. The early Wednesday practice suggests that Staley wants the team to complete its preparations before traveling, while the days off should provide some recovery time during a demanding preseason period.

9. Four Gamecocks Competing in the WNBA Finals

Reporter: There are four former Gamecocks in the WNBA Finals, and all of them are making an impact in their roles. How exciting is it to see them competing on the biggest stage?

Dawn Staley: It’s great. I try to support both sides. When Los Angeles won the first game, I was telling Atlanta to steal Game 2. Atlanta stole Game 2, and then I told Los Angeles to bounce back.

They really need to win on Saturday afternoon to give themselves a better chance of getting to Game 7.

But it’s cool. We’re in a win-win situation because no matter who wins, we win as Gamecocks.

Analysis: Staley’s playful comments reflect her connection to former South Carolina players competing professionally. She is enjoying the Finals while supporting Gamecocks on both sides. The bigger takeaway is the program’s continued presence at the highest level of women’s basketball, demonstrating how South Carolina players can develop into impact performers after college.

10. South Carolina’s No. 1 Preseason Ranking

Reporter: What does being ranked No. 1 in the preseason poll mean to the team, and how does that recognition affect your coaching approach?

Dawn Staley: You can look at it in one of two ways. You can worry about being ranked No. 1, especially with the schedule we have, and question whether we really are the top team. Or you can say we’ve been there and done that.

I think it’s an honor. It’s a badge of honor. Not every team gets to say it is No. 1, and not everyone who votes will think you have the best team all the time.

It’s an honor to have that ranking, but we won’t play for the number. We’ll focus on being the best team we can be in every game and hope that leads to wins.

Analysis: Staley is treating the ranking as recognition rather than an obligation. Her approach is designed to keep the team focused on performance instead of outside expectations. With a challenging schedule ahead, South Carolina will need to establish its standing through consistent execution rather than relying on its preseason reputation.

11. Expanding Joyce Edwards’ Perimeter Game

Reporter: [Question about Joyce Edwards and her perimeter play.]

Dawn Staley: I’d like to see her play a little more on the perimeter. We’ll find a way to make that happen.

She has been working all summer, and this is the first summer we’ve had Joyce for the entire period. I think a lot of growth takes place during that time.

She has done a lot of perimeter work, probably more than post work. We’re hoping to use her in bigger lineups at times, get her on the perimeter and take advantage of that strength while making her more versatile.

As she heads into her junior year, the more versatile she becomes, the better her prospects will be.

Analysis: Staley wants Edwards to develop into a more versatile offensive player rather than being limited to the post. Her perimeter development could give South Carolina greater lineup flexibility, create matchup problems for opponents and help Edwards expand her long-term professional prospects. The reference to a full summer with the team also suggests that Staley believes sustained development time can produce meaningful improvements.

12. Depth Versus Experience

Reporter: [Follow-up question about the team’s depth and experience.]

Dawn Staley: I think all of it plays a part. I don’t think we had as much depth as we have now in a long time last year.

We do have depth, but we don’t have experience. We have to allow that experience to develop, and hopefully we’ll be able to lean on those players more as they gain experience and better understand the level of basketball they’re playing.

Sometimes you think you’re really good because the game looks so easy when you watch it on television. But when you have to do it night after night, it becomes physically, mentally and spiritually taxing, especially when you’re not playing your best.

Analysis: This may be one of Staley’s most important observations about the team. She believes the roster has enough depth, but depth alone does not guarantee consistent results. Younger players must learn how to handle the physical demands, mental pressure and adversity of high-level basketball.

The distinction is crucial: South Carolina may have plenty of talented options, but the team’s ceiling will depend on how quickly those players develop the experience and composure required to contribute consistently.

13. Closing

Reporter: Anything else for Coach?

Dawn Staley: Thank you.

Reporter: Thank you.

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