COLUMBIA, S.C. — In a historic and emotional ceremony outside Colonial Life Arena, South Carolina legend and WNBA superstar A’ja Wilson delivered a heartfelt tribute to her former coach, Dawn Staley, following the unveiling of Staley’s statue — the first of its kind honoring a Black female coach in NCAA history.
The bronze sculpture, unveiled before a crowd of thousands including fans, current and former Gamecock athletes, and university officials, depicts Staley in her signature coaching stance — clipboard in hand, eyes locked in determination. As the curtain dropped, chants of “Dawn! Dawn! Dawn!” echoed through the streets of Columbia.
But it was Wilson, the program’s most decorated player and now a two-time WNBA MVP, whose words brought the crowd to tears.
“Coach Staley didn’t just build a program — she built us,” Wilson said, standing on the same court where she helped deliver a national championship. “This statue isn’t just about wins or banners. It’s about a Black woman who carved her legacy with fire, faith, and fearlessness.”
Wilson recalled moments of struggle and growth under Staley’s guidance, crediting her former coach not just for her success on the court, but for shaping her into a leader and role model.
“Everything I am today, I owe to her,” Wilson said. “And this statue will tell little Black girls walking by: your dreams are real. You are seen. You are enough.”
The ceremony included remarks from university president Michael Amiridis, athletic director Ray Tanner, and NCAA officials, all lauding Staley’s impact on the sport and her relentless pursuit of equity and empowerment.
Staley, visibly moved, embraced Wilson after the speech and addressed the crowd with gratitude.
“This isn’t my statue,” Staley said. “This is ours. For every woman who never got her flowers, for every coach who poured into others — this is for you.”
The unveiling comes as South Carolina continues its reign as a national powerhouse in women’s basketball, a testament to the culture Staley built and the legacy that Wilson and her teammates continue to carry.
