South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley might be gearing up for another scorching summer down South, but she’s already found the perfect way to beat the heat. On Thursday, the legendary coach took to Instagram to show off what she dubbed “the most useful gift ever” — a compact, handheld electric fan.
“This is by far the most useful gift ever…..bc the way these private summers are set up! 🤣🤣🤣 #nohands 🤣🤣🤣,” Staley humorously captioned the post, adding her usual flair and emojis.
While Staley prepares for the sweltering months ahead, her focus remains laser-sharp on the recruiting trail. With record-breaking summer temperatures expected across the country, the fan will likely be a staple in her travel bag as she continues to scout the best young talent at AAU tournaments and high school events. Her dedication to recruiting is nothing new — it’s part of what keeps the Gamecocks a national powerhouse.
The Gamecocks are coming off another impressive season under Staley’s leadership, finishing 35-4 overall and 15-1 in the SEC. Despite being tied with Texas in the win-loss column, South Carolina earned the No. 1 seed in the conference and entered the NCAA tournament as a top seed. However, the team fell short in the national championship game, losing to UConn, ending their hopes of back-to-back titles.
Still, Staley’s competitive fire hasn’t dimmed one bit. This offseason, she’s already been spotted evaluating prospects across the country, always staying one step ahead in the ever-competitive world of college basketball recruiting.
Beyond basketball and cooling gadgets, Staley also recently shared more personal reflections through the release of her new book, Uncommon Favor. In it, she offers a closer look at her life’s journey, coaching philosophies, and the experiences that shaped her.
A particularly poignant section of the book highlights how former USA Basketball coach Tara VanDerveer influenced Staley’s own approach to leadership and coaching. Staley was a player on VanDerveer’s gold-medal-winning 1996 Olympic team — an experience that left a lasting impression.
“Her coaching was calculating, methodical, manipulative, even,” Staley wrote, calling VanDerveer a “genius” and a “savant.” She admitted that many of VanDerveer’s methods still inform her own coaching style today.
“My thinking was, if these young women do half of this, we’re going to be in pretty darn good shape,” she added.
For Staley, the lessons from her Olympic days continue to ripple through her career — whether she’s guiding her team on the court, recruiting across the country, or simply navigating another Southern summer with the help of a trusty handheld fan.
