South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley and former Gamecock star A’ja Wilson have both been honored with statues in Columbia, South Carolina, celebrating their contributions to the sport and the university. Staley recently delivered remarks at the unveiling ceremony of her own statue, taking the opportunity to address and defend Wilson’s statue, which had faced scrutiny due to comments made by UConn coach Geno Auriemma.
During the UConn Huskies’ celebration of their recent national championship, Auriemma remarked that at most places, winning a single national title earns someone a statue, but at UConn, they wouldn’t even allow that person to sit at the front of the bus. The comment was interpreted by many as a veiled jab at programs like South Carolina, which have honored players like Wilson with statues for their achievements.
Staley, in her speech, did not mention Auriemma by name but made her stance clear. She shared that she was initially hesitant about having a statue of herself erected, believing that Wilson’s statue, unveiled in 2021, was sufficient to represent the program’s legacy. According to Staley, she felt Wilson’s impact and greatness stood on its own and that no other statue was necessary. However, after conversations with officials at the University of South Carolina and leaders in the city of Columbia, she agreed to accept the honor.
In what seemed like a response to Auriemma, Staley defended the decision to celebrate Wilson, emphasizing the significance of recognizing the accomplishments of Black women in sports and giving them the recognition they deserve.
