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Dawn Staley Receives Stylish Surprise from Playa Society Ahead of Statue Unveiling
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley took to Instagram on Wednesday to show love to the women’s sports brand Playa Society after receiving a custom gift that left her smiling and full of gratitude.
The merch featured a bold graphic of Staley’s face paired with an empowering message: “keep beating the odds.” Alongside the post, she shared her appreciation in true Staley style:
“@aflacduck 🤝@playasociety done surprised me today! Masterfully done! Honored to be associated with such intentional leadership, vision and boss moves. side note: I veneers in my future 🤣🤣🤣,” she joked in her caption.
This isn’t the first time Playa Society and Staley have teamed up. Back in 2024, the streetwear-inspired women’s brand released a special South Carolina hoodie to honor Staley’s transformational impact on Gamecocks women’s basketball. That same year, South Carolina captured its third national championship under her leadership.
A Monumental Moment: Staley’s Statue Unveiled
The gesture came just in time for another major honor — the unveiling of a bronze statue celebrating Dawn Staley’s legendary career. The long-awaited ceremony took place Wednesday at the corner of Senate Street and Lincoln Street, near the Pastides Alumni Center in Columbia, South Carolina.
Originally planned for 2023, the statue now stands as a tribute to more than just on-court success. In a statement, the school emphasized:
𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲:
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀. 𝗜 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝘂𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺, 𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂.
“This tribute celebrates not only her championship legacy as a coach and player, but also her unwavering commitment to leadership, community empowerment and uplifting future generations.“
“Dawn Staley’s influence continues to inspire both on and off the court, and this statue stands as a lasting symbol of excellence, resilience and pride for Columbia and the entire state of South Carolina.“
A Record of Excellence
Staley’s coaching résumé speaks volumes:
- Seven 30-win seasons
- Nine SEC tournament championships
- Seven Final Four appearances
- Three NCAA national titles
She was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.
Looking Ahead to 2025–26
Despite falling short in the 2025 NCAA championship game, where South Carolina lost 82–59 to UConn led by Paige Bueckers, Staley and her team are already refocused.
The Gamecocks recently landed a major transfer in Ta’Niya Latson, who led the nation last season with 25.2 points per game. She’s expected to be a major force in Staley’s pursuit of a fourth national championship.
With new talent on board, powerful brand partnerships, and a statue to commemorate her legacy, Dawn Staley continues to shape the future of women’s basketball — on the court, in the community, and beyond.
