Dawn Staley Joins Gamecock Legends Immortalized in Bronze — Could Aliyah Boston or LaNorris Sellers Be Next?
On April 30, South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley received one of the highest honors in sports — a statue in her likeness — becoming only the third figure in University of South Carolina athletics history to earn such a tribute.
Staley’s statue, now standing proudly near the USC Alumni Center in downtown Columbia, was the result of a collaborative effort between the City of Columbia, Statutes for Equality, and local business leaders. It sits in close proximity to two other bronze legends: A’ja Wilson, a Gamecock basketball icon, and George Rogers, the 1980 Heisman Trophy winner and South Carolina football great.
Each statue represents not just athletic excellence, but a legacy that transcends the sport. Rogers was the first, honored in 2015, followed by Wilson in 2021, and now Staley in 2024.
Statues are rare honors, usually reserved for those whose impact is undeniable. Ahead of Staley’s unveiling, Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann hinted that more Gamecock statues could be on the horizon — and not surprisingly, he believes the next one may again come from Staley’s program.
“I have a feeling it will probably be another one of our women’s basketball (players) at some point,” Rickenmann told The State.
His leading candidate? Aliyah Boston.
“When they started the statue with A’ja, I think the next one that was talked about was Aliyah Boston, wanting to do something for her,” Rickenmann added.
Boston, one of the most decorated athletes in school history, needs little introduction. She played a pivotal role in guiding the Gamecocks to three consecutive Final Fours and brought home the 2022 national championship. Her accolades include:
- Four-time All-American
- Four-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year
- Wooden and Naismith Award winner
- Four-time All-SEC selection
Coach Staley herself acknowledged Boston’s statue-worthy career earlier this year when Wilson’s jersey was retired in February, quipping, “We’ll have to play chess with the statues” if another is added outside Colonial Life Arena.
“I think this has become kind of a passion project,” said Rickenmann. “I think the coach really wants these incredible players to be honored — and it’s really about them versus her.”
But it’s not just basketball players who could find themselves immortalized.
Mayor Rickenmann also floated a wild card: current quarterback LaNorris Sellers.
“I don’t know, LaNorris — if he keeps playing like he’s playing and he hangs around, it could be one for him, too,” the mayor said.
Sellers, the hometown standout from Florence High School, had an electric first year as the starter under head coach Shane Beamer, putting up:
- 2,534 passing yards
- 18 passing touchdowns
- 674 rushing yards
- 7 rushing scores
He was named All-SEC Third Team and helped lead the Gamecocks to a 9-4 record, the best in Beamer’s tenure. With scouts and analysts already projecting him as a top-five NFL Draft pick in 2026, it’s not far-fetched to think Sellers could be the next football legend honored outside Williams-Brice Stadium, alongside George Rogers.
Whether the next statue is Boston, Sellers, or someone yet to emerge, it’s clear that the Gamecocks’ legacy is still being written — one champion at a time.
