South Carolina WBB head coach Dawn Staley is a fierce competitor. She is known for being bold, tough, and direct. But imagine somebody calling her soft. And what’s more, they got away with it too. This dialogue, this exchange of lighthearted puns, took place during the interview conducted by NBC’s Natalie Esquire.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
In the interview, Dawn Staley was asked by the host as to what she thinks about the comments made by A’ja Wilson about her. Wilson had said that over the years, Staley had gone soft but the veteran coach decided to laugh it off immediately.
“A’ja’s probably gotten softer too, now that she’s got a man,” Dawn said.
All three people on the screen burst out in laughter after this. Dawn indicates that the metrics used by A’ja on her would apply to her as well. So if she is soft, A’ja is soft too. Wilson, too, has got a man now.
Many talented players over the years have credited Dawn Staley for shaping their careers and their game style. A’ja Wilson is also one such player, and the duo go a long way back.
A’ja Wilson had cited some examples to reflect on Staley’s softness over the years. These included making dancing TikToks with the players, allowing phones into the practice, etc. But coach Staley being herself had a witty reply up her sleeve for this as well. She says that she has just adapted over the years. She is being smart, not soft. Staley is clearly implying that you have to change with the times.
“I have got smarter,” Staley mentions in the interview. “You can’t allow them to beat you at your game, you have to beat them at their game.”
She clearly favors adapting to the new generation of players. What they like, dislike, and what are the current trends the young players are following.
While Staley made her point in the most Dawn way possible, she shared some of her thoughts afterwards. Staley points out that she likes being around young people. She likes taking on this journey with them. She finds this whole process of youngsters finding themselves as very ‘cool’ and ‘dynamic ‘.
Dawn Staley is very much an icon of Women’s Basketball
Dawn Staley has been mentioned as an icon of women’s basketball by TIME magazine. She is one of their top 100 most influential people in sports. And one would say rightly so.
Let’s keep Staley’s individual accolades aside. Which, by the way, includes being a 4 time Olympic champion. Also, being a hall of famer. She is also the highest-paid coach in women’s college basketball history. But her impact is felt beyond the numbers.
Last year’s playoffs featured 8 of her college alumni. To this day, she continues to focus on player development and game building. She is credited with changing the trajectory of hundreds of players till now.
She continues to transform and impact the game while changing with the times. Her flamboyant fashion style has evolved with her over time. She is deeply loved by fans and players alike.
