When we think of basketball, we may envision one or two individuals in the national spotlight. There is the legendary coach, the Hall of Famer, and of course, the Women’s basketball player. But do we know who they are?
Women’s basketball player
Staley is a former WNBA player who became the first women’s basketball player to win an Olympic gold medal. She was the leader of the USA team that earned a record-breaking eight-0 record and won the gold in the 2004 Games in Athens.
As a player, she earned two National Player of the Year awards. In addition, she won numerous other awards on the basketball court. One was the USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year Award, which she received in 1992 and 1991.
After her playing career, Staley became a coach. Her teams won three Atlantic Coast Conference tournament titles and an NCAA Championship game. She then led the University of Virginia Cavaliers to three consecutive “Final Four” appearances.
Dawn Staley has been recognized for her dedication to her community. She is the founder of the Dawn Staley Foundation, which helps economically underprivileged girls become self-confident and motivated young women. The foundation also sponsors summer and after-school programs for youth.
Hall of famer
Dawn Staley has been one of the most successful basketball players of the modern era. She is a three-time Olympic gold medalist and a two-time National Player of the Year. Her career spans more than a quarter century.
Staley is the coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team. She has helped them win an NCAA Championship and become the only SEC program with multiple 16-0 seasons. In the process, she has made the Gamecocks a household name.
She was also an assistant coach for the United States team that won gold medals in both the 2008 and 2016 Olympics. Earlier this year, Staley was named head coach for Team USA for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
As a player, Staley earned all-American honors at the University of Virginia. She was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Female Athlete of the Year in 1991 and 1992.
She won a gold medal for the United States at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. After college, Staley played professionally in Italy and Spain.
Coach
As a former basketball player, Dawn Staley has won three Olympic gold medals. She also helped lead the U.S. to a gold medal at the FIBA U19 Americas Championship in 2007.
After a successful professional career with the Charlotte Sting, Staley entered the WNBA in 1999. With the Charlotte Sting, she led the team to the 2001 WNBA championship game. In addition to coaching the WNBA team, Staley is now the head coach of the women’s team at the University of South Carolina.
Since being named head coach of the National Team, Staley has led the U.S. to the FIBA World Cup in 2018, and to the 2019 and 2021 FIBA AmeriCups. The team will continue to be under her direction through the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Staley has earned numerous awards as a coach. Her team was the top-ranked team in the nation in 2009. She has also led the team to five straight seasons of 25 wins or more. Additionally, Staley has led six SEC Freshman of the Year selections, and seven All-SEC selections.
Philanthropic activities
Staley has been a role model for many in the community. She is not only an Olympic gold medalist, but she is also a successful community activist. Her work is recognized with a seven-story mural in her hometown of Philadelphia.
Staley started her career in professional basketball in Spain in 1992. After playing with four different teams during the 1993-1994 season, she returned to the US and played for the U.S. Women’s National Team during the 1994 Goodwill Games.
Staley is a three-time Olympic gold medalist. She has won a National Player of the Year award, and was named NCAA Region Most Outstanding Player.
Staley founded the Dawn Staley Foundation, which provides opportunities to underserved girls in her hometown of Philadelphia. The foundation supports educational programs, after school care, and mentoring.
The foundation is dedicated to empowering economically disadvantaged girls to become self-confident young women. It also supports the development of leadership skills and teamwork.
In 2007, the WNBA introduced the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award. The award honors a player’s commitment to volunteering, community leadership, and social consciousness.
