“WE BUILT SOMETHING SPECIAL AND IT’S SHOWING”: DAWN STALEY FINALLY SPEAKS OUT ABOUT HER FORMER GAMECOCK GREATS TURNING WNBA HEADLINERS—FROM A’JA WILSON’S DOMINANCE TO ZIA COOKE’S GRIT, COACH STALEY OPENS UP ON LEGACY, LOYALTY, AND WHY SOUTH CAROLINA’S STARS CONTINUE TO SHINE BRIGHTEST IN THE PROS
June 19, 2025 | Columbia, SC
It was only a matter of time before South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley—the architect of one of college basketball’s most dominant women’s programs—broke her silence on the latest wave of her former players lighting up the WNBA. And now that she has, Gamecock Nation is eating it up.
In a candid media session following a youth basketball clinic in Columbia earlier this week, Staley spoke with heartfelt emotion, unshakable pride, and a touch of humor as she reflected on her former stars who are now making headlines at the highest level of the sport.
“We built something special in Columbia,” Staley said. “Not just a team, not just championships, but a culture—a sisterhood. And now, people are seeing that legacy come alive every night in the WNBA. It’s beautiful.”
And indeed, it is.
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A’ja Wilson: “The Blueprint”
Leading the charge, as always, is A’ja Wilson, the Las Vegas Aces’ superstar forward and two-time WNBA MVP. Wilson has elevated her game to generational status, anchoring one of the most dominant franchises in league history while continuing to advocate for equality, mental health, and representation off the court.
“She’s the blueprint,” Staley said firmly. “When A’ja chose to stay home and play for South Carolina, she changed everything for us. And now she’s changing the game at the professional level. She leads with grace, grit, and greatness.”
Wilson, who is currently averaging 21.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per game in the 2025 season, recently spoke about Staley in an interview, calling her “a second mom” and crediting her with “building women, not just hoopers.”
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Zia Cooke and Destanni Henderson: The Grit and the Grind
Staley also showered praise on her backcourt dynamos Zia Cooke and Destanni Henderson, both of whom played instrumental roles in South Carolina’s 2022 national championship.
Cooke, now with the Los Angeles Sparks, is known for her relentless energy and clutch scoring. Henderson, playing with the Indiana Fever, continues to develop as one of the smartest and most poised floor generals in the league.
“Zia is fire—plain and simple,” Staley said, laughing. “You can’t teach her kind of fearlessness. And Henny? That girl was born to lead. These two didn’t just help us win—they set the tone.”
Both guards have become rising fan favorites, especially among younger viewers inspired by their unapologetic confidence and resilience.
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Brea Beal and Victaria Saxton: Quiet Storms Making Big Noise
While A’ja, Cooke, and Henderson may garner headlines, Staley was quick to recognize her quieter contributors who are now emerging as difference-makers in the league—namely Brea Beal and Victaria Saxton.
“Brea is probably one of the smartest defenders I’ve ever coached,” she said. “She might not fill the box score every night, but she wins possessions, wins matchups—and that wins games.”
Saxton, now making her mark with the Chicago Sky, has become known for her work ethic, rebounding tenacity, and unwavering team-first mentality.
“They weren’t always the flashiest, but they were always the foundation,” Staley noted.
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Staley on Mentorship, Loyalty, and Legacy
The most powerful moments of the press session came when Staley reflected on her role not just as a coach, but as a mentor.
“My job never ends after graduation or the draft,” she said. “They call me when they’re struggling, when they’re celebrating, when they just need someone who understands. That’s what this is—a lifelong bond.”
The connection between Staley and her former players continues to inspire a new generation of recruits, many of whom cite the “Gamecock Sisterhood” as the main reason they want to wear garnet and black.
“They stay connected,” Staley added. “They support each other across the league, repost each other’s highlights, show up at each other’s games. That’s the culture we built—and it’s unbreakable.”
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The Fans React: “This Is Why We Love Her”
Gamecock fans lit up social media after clips of Staley’s comments went viral. One popular post read: “Dawn Staley doesn’t just coach winners—she raises leaders.”
Another user posted: “This is why we love her. She’s always giving her players flowers and lifting them up, even after they leave.”
The Gamecock fanbase, one of the most loyal and vocal in all of college basketball, has long credited Staley not only for winning championships but for creating a legacy of empowerment that continues to unfold in real time.
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What’s Next?
With another top recruiting class coming in and WNBA teams clamoring for Gamecock talent, the Staley production line shows no signs of slowing down. As her former stars keep rising, one thing is crystal clear:
Dawn Staley’s silence wasn’t absence—it was preparation. And now, her words are echoing louder than ever across the sport.
As she summed it up best:
“They’re making meproud, and they’re making South Carolina proud.
And they’re just getting started.”
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