The South Carolina Gamecocks have been one of the best women’s basketball teams in the nation since Dawn Staley took over as head coach all the way back in the 2008-09 season. She has created a dynasty within the program.
Since she took over leading South Carolina, Staley has compiled an impressive 475-110 record, which is good enough for an 81.2% win rate.
Not only has she won a lot of games, she has led the Gamecocks to three national championships. During the 2024-25 season, South Carolina reached the national championship once again. They came up short to Paige Bueckers, Geno Auriemma, and the UConn Huskies.
The @dawnstaley WNBA Draft resume … motion detected pic.twitter.com/HVugC9YH83
— South Carolina Women's Basketball (@GamecockWBB) April 16, 2025
In the 2025 WNBA draft, the Gamecocks had quite a few players head off to the professional level. Those players were Te-Hina Paopao, Bree Hall, and Sania Feagin. Those three players joined a long list of players who have played under Staley at South Carolina and gone on to play in the WNBA.
Following the draft, the Gamecocks sent out a post showcasing just how good Staley has been at developing WNBA talent.
Staley has helped pave the way to 15 selections since 2015, two top-five picks in the last five drafts, four first-round picks since 2021, 10 selections since 2021, and two No. 1 picks since 2015.
Prior to her time with South Carolina, Staley was the head coach for Temple. She coached the Owls from the 2000-01 season through the 2007-08 season and ended with a 172-80 record and six appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
Staley has proven herself to be one of the best women’s basketball coaches in recent history and her success has helped propel many players to the WNBA level as well.
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