South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley appeared on CBS Mornings on Friday to discuss her memoir, “Uncommon Favor: Basketball, North Philly, My Mother, and the Life Lessons I Learned from All Three,” published in May. The book reflects on her deep, lifelong connection with basketball and the values it instilled in her, while also addressing important issues in women’s sports — including gender equity.
Speaking on pay equity in sports, Staley stressed the importance of initiating those conversations:
“It’s important to have those conversations because it aren’t being had. I’ve been very blessed by pay equity— not blessed, I fought for it.”
She explained that fair pay requires taking the initiative:
“It’s not just gonna come to you. You actually have to approach them with what you think your worth is. Once you know your worth, you’re unafraid to speak on what you think it is, whether they believe so or not.”
Staley credited South Carolina’s leadership for listening and taking action:
“Fortunately for me, I worked at a university and athletics department that listened. That wasn’t probably the most popular thing to do, but sometimes you have to do the unpopular right thing.”
From WNBA Star to Championship Coach
Before becoming one of the most successful coaches in women’s basketball history, Staley spent eight seasons in the WNBA, earning six All-Star selections. On the global stage, she captured three Olympic gold medals (1996, 2000, 2004) as a player.
Taking over as South Carolina’s head coach in 2008, Staley transformed the program into a national powerhouse. Under her leadership, the Gamecocks have earned:
- 9 SEC regular season titles
- 9 SEC tournament championships
- 8 Sweet Sixteen appearances
- 6 Final Four appearances
- 3 national championships (2017, 2022, 2024)
Her success extends internationally, having coached Team USA to a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
In recognition of her career achievements, Staley was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.
Choosing Basketball for Life
During her CBS interview, Staley reflected on her early life and how basketball became her path forward:
“I mean, growing up in the projects in North Philly, you’re either going to have a life of whatever that community is, or you can choose a life of sports, and I chose sports,” she said. “I chose sports so much that I absolutely loved what it gave me.”
She credited the sport with shaping her character:
“It gave me confidence, it gave me competitiveness, it gave me perseverance because I was the only girl in my neighborhood playing and I had no alternative motives. I just fell in love with the game of basketball and I never cheated on it. To this day.”
Staley’s passion and dedication have made her one of the winningest coaches in women’s basketball, and she remains the fastest coach to reach 100 career victories.
