If there is one thing Dawn Staley will do, it’s support her players no matter what.
In August, she attended an Atlanta Dream game to see former South Carolina Gamecocks Aliyah Boston, Allisha Gray, Laeticia Amihere and Victaria Saxton. In October, she was spotted courtside during the WNBA Finals to see A’ja Wilson win her second title.
Now, Staley is taking the current South Carolina women’s basketball team to Paris for its 2023-2024 season opener. On Monday, November 6, South Carolina will take on Notre Dame in the first regular-season NCAA game on Parisian soil.
Hello Paris….the City of Love! At the Eiffel Tower with the @GamecockWBB towers! #LOVE 🥰🥰🥰 pic.twitter.com/gqjkGZbRA1
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) November 2, 2023
During a recent game preview segment with ESPN, the former WNBA player turned coach told sports anchor Elle Duncan that if other leagues can do it, her team should be able to as well.
“I always thought: why couldn’t we do it? And then, what do you know? We’re doing it,” Staley explained.
Dawn Staley dreamed of a historic international trip like this for women's basketball 🇫🇷@GamecockWBB | @dawnstaley pic.twitter.com/D49eHg10Px
— ESPN (@espn) October 31, 2023
The best part of Staley making this happen is that the impact it will have on her players will likely stay with them for a lifetime.
Notre Dame’s head coach, Niele Ivey, seems to support that same notion. During ACC Women’s Basketball Media Day, she shared her thoughts:
“I have so much respect for South Carolina and Dawn Staley. Going up against one of the best in our game, I think it’s going to be just amazing.
To be able to showcase women’s basketball, the first time men’s or women’s collegiate game being on display in Paris, is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m grateful that my team gets a chance to be a part of this.
It’s not just a game. We realize it’s bigger than just the game. We’re highlighting women’s sports, but we’re also getting a chance to impact the community.”
You deserve all your flowers, Dawn Staley.