Dawn Staley Honors A’ja Wilson While Accepting Her Own Statue in Columbia
In a powerful and heartfelt moment in Columbia, South Carolina, two of the greatest figures in women’s basketball—Dawn Staley and A’ja Wilson—were forever etched into the city’s landscape, not just through their monumental accomplishments, but now in bronze. As the University of South Carolina and the city unveiled a statue of Dawn Staley, the legendary coach took the moment to celebrate another Gamecock great, A’ja Wilson, whose statue was unveiled in 2021, and to address recent controversy stirred by remarks from a rival coach.
Dawn Staley, the head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team, has become synonymous with excellence, leadership, and transformative impact—not just in sport but in culture and community. Her statue, now standing proudly in Columbia, is a tribute to a coach who has redefined what success and visibility can look like for women, especially Black women, in sports leadership.
During her remarks at the unveiling ceremony, Staley reflected on the journey that brought her from the courts of North Philadelphia to becoming one of the most celebrated figures in college basketball. However, true to her nature, she used the spotlight not to magnify her own legacy, but to uplift another—A’ja Wilson.
A’ja Wilson, a national champion, WNBA MVP, and Olympic gold medalist, is often referred to as the foundational piece of South Carolina’s rise to basketball prominence. Her statue, unveiled outside Colonial Life Arena in January 2021, was the first in Columbia to honor a Black woman—and it made history not just for the figure it depicted, but for what it represented: progress, recognition, and the breaking of barriers.
Staley, who coached Wilson during her collegiate career, has often spoken of her admiration for the former Gamecock star. During the ceremony for her own statue, Staley recalled initially declining the offer to be immortalized in bronze. She felt that Wilson’s statue should be “the only one ever,” a sentiment rooted in the depth of respect she holds for her former player and the symbolic importance of Wilson’s recognition.
The event took on added weight in light of recent remarks made by UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma during his team’s national championship celebration. Auriemma, whose storied career includes 11 national titles, said, “Most other places, if you win one national championship, they build a statue to you outside the building. Here, they won’t even let you get to the front of the bus.”
Though Auriemma didn’t name names, the implication was clear to many—especially coming shortly after South Carolina’s own championship celebration and amid the growing reverence for Staley and Wilson’s legacies. His comments drew criticism for appearing to minimize the achievements of programs outside of UConn’s own orbit and, more pointedly, for seeming to disparage the honors afforded to Staley and Wilson.
Staley, with characteristic grace and poise, addressed the remarks without animosity. She defended Wilson’s statue, emphasizing not only the athletic achievements that warranted it but the deeper societal significance. “A’ja’s statue is not just about wins or titles,” Staley said. “It’s about what she represents to young girls, to Black women, to people who dream big in a world that doesn’t always see them.”
Statues, by nature, are more than commemorations of individual success—they are declarations of value. They tell communities who matters and why. In sports, where monuments have long been reserved for male athletes and often white figures of the past, the statues of Dawn Staley and A’ja Wilson mark a meaningful shift in who is seen and celebrated.
For Columbia, a city with a complex history of racial inequality and civil rights struggle, these statues do more than honor basketball heroes. They challenge long-standing norms about public recognition and representation. For South Carolina fans and citizens, they’re a visible testament to progress and a source of pride that transcends the scoreboard.
What makes Staley’s tribute to Wilson even more powerful is the mutual admiration between the two. Wilson, who now stars for the Las Vegas Aces, has often credited Staley for shaping her as a player and a woman. Their relationship is a unique blend of mentor-mentee and peer-to-peer respect—rooted in shared values, hard work, and the belief that greatness must be used in service of others.
Staley’s own legacy continues to grow. Under her leadership, the Gamecocks have become a national powerhouse, winning multiple NCAA championships and producing a pipeline of elite talent. Her influence, however, extends far beyond the court. She has been a vocal advocate for social justice, gender equity, and inclusion, using her platform to speak on issues ranging from pay disparity to systemic racism.
The unveiling of Staley’s statue doesn’t mark the end of a story but a milestone in an ongoing journey. It is a recognition of the ground she has broken and the doors she continues to open for those who follow. In choosing to highlight A’ja Wilson during her own moment of honor, Staley reinforced a powerful message: true leadership uplifts others.
As fans, players, and members of the Columbia community gathered to witness the unveiling, the atmosphere was not just celebratory—it was reverent. For many, it was a chance to reflect on how far the program, the city, and the culture have come, and to dream of where they could still go.
Dawn Staley’s statue, standing proudly near that of A’ja Wilson, is more than a tribute to a coach—it is a beacon for what is possible when talent meets purpose, and when leadership is defined not by self-glory, but by the power to elevate others.
In defending Wilson’s statue and embracing her own, Staley reminded everyone that the true measure of legacy is not just in what you achieve, but in how you inspire those who come next.
