South Carolina’s Dynasty of McDonald’s All-Americans Continues Under Dawn Staley
For 16 consecutive seasons, the South Carolina Gamecocks have featured at least one McDonald’s All-American on their roster—beginning with Kelsey Bone in 2009. Fast forward to today, and head coach Dawn Staley has built a juggernaut program stacked with elite talent, leading to three national championships and a reputation as one of the most dominant teams in women’s college basketball.
The Gamecocks’ impressive depth and talent pool have not gone unnoticed. Opposing coaches, including LSU’s Kim Mulkey and Kentucky’s Kenny Brooks, have openly acknowledged the advantage that South Carolina’s rotations bring. After a hard-fought loss in Columbia, Brooks pointed to the Gamecocks’ ability to constantly cycle in fresh legs as a deciding factor.
“They were subbing in McDonald’s All-Americans for McDonald’s All-Americans, just seeing which one was going to play better,” Brooks remarked. “They were fresh. Going down the stretch—maybe a one-possession game with four minutes to go—and that really elevated them.”
Staley’s Response: ‘We’re Just Fortunate’
Despite the praise and even some subtle envy from opponents, Staley remains humble about her program’s ability to attract top-tier talent.
“I would imagine that nobody’s turning down McDonald’s All-Americans,” Staley joked. “We’re just fortunate.”
The numbers speak for themselves: South Carolina’s 2024-25 roster features 10 McDonald’s All-Americans, a testament to the program’s winning tradition, elite development, and national prestige. And the pipeline isn’t slowing down—Agot Makeer and Ayla McDowell are set to join the squad next season, continuing the trend.
Even a powerhouse coach like Kim Mulkey couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer depth of Staley’s team after LSU’s loss to the Gamecocks.
“I don’t think I’ve ever coached against a team with 10 McDonald’s All-Americans,” Mulkey said. “How do you even keep 10 on a roster? That’s what we faced today, and what a challenge it was. It was an enjoyable game to coach in, and man, was it good for women’s basketball. It was good for the SEC.”
The SEC: A Breeding Ground for Elite Talent
Across the conference, 36 McDonald’s All-Americans will suit up for SEC programs during the 2024-25 season, spread across 13 of the league’s 16 teams. But Staley emphasized that being a McDonald’s All-American isn’t what makes a player great—it’s how they develop and compete in a conference as tough as the SEC.
“This league always puts you in a position to compete for a national championship,” Staley said. “Our national championships were realized because of the SEC. This conference constantly forces teams to compete, adjust, and battle different playing styles. And bringing in Oklahoma and Texas is only going to make us even more prepared.”
More Than Basketball: South Carolina’s Recruiting Edge
For Staley, recruiting isn’t just about talent—it’s about family, trust, and fit. That personal touch made all the difference for Agot Makeer, who spoke highly of the Gamecocks after committing.
“Coach Staley’s word has always been genuine,” Makeer said, highlighting the authenticity of the recruiting process at South Carolina.
Staley reinforced that her approach isn’t just about securing commitments from players—it’s about ensuring their families feel at home.
“Is the household happy? Then we’ve done our job,” Staley said with a smile. “It’s a lot of Happy Meals to go around.”
