A decade ago, the idea of South Carolina as a women’s basketball powerhouse would have seemed far-fetched. The Gamecocks had made just two NCAA Tournament appearances in the previous 17 seasons. But then Dawn Staley arrived, and everything changed.
In her first season in 2008-09, South Carolina went 10-18. But by year six, they were SEC champions and Sweet Sixteen-bound. Fast forward to today, and the Gamecocks have won three of the last six national titles, led the nation in attendance every year since 2015, and produced the WNBA’s last two No. 1 draft picks in A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston. This is the story of how Staley built a dynasty in Columbia.
Laying the Foundation with Local Talent
Staley’s first major recruiting coup was landing local star A’ja Wilson, the No. 1 prospect in the 2014 class. Wilson chose to stay home and play for the Gamecocks, giving the program a transformational talent to build around.
It probably would not have worked out as beautifully if she wasn’t from here…I don’t think we would have this kind of momentum that we’ve built from the time she walked on campus.
– Dawn Staley on A’ja Wilson
Wilson would lead South Carolina to its first-ever Final Four appearance as a freshman in 2015, win National Player of the Year honors in 2018, and become the WNBA No. 1 pick. Her success opened up a pipeline of elite talent to Columbia.
Breaking Through for a National Title
In 2017, Wilson’s junior year, South Carolina broke through and won its first national championship. Staley became just the second Black head coach to win the women’s NCAA Tournament. The victory established the Gamecocks as a premier program.
- South Carolina’s road to the 2017 title:
- Won SEC regular season and tournament
- Defeated Stanford in Final Four
- Beat SEC rival Mississippi State for championship
Reloading with the “Freshies”
After Wilson graduated, Staley brought in a celebrated 2019 recruiting class led by Aliyah Boston and dubbed the “Freshies”. In 2022, their junior year, they delivered another national title, defeating UConn in the championship game.
Aliyah, all our kids, were just devastated [after Final Four loss in 2021]. And I had to go home and bury my mother. But God said, ‘If you trust me, if you lean on me, I will give you the strength to be able to do what you need to do.
– Assistant coach Jolette Law
Chasing Perfection
The 2022-23 season represented a chance at immortality for the Gamecocks – an undefeated season. But a shocking semifinal loss to Iowa ended those hopes at 38-1. Staley had to regroup for 2023-24 without her superstar senior class.
Remarkably, a rebuilt South Carolina team did achieve perfection in 2024, going 38-0 and winning another title. The Gamecocks made 253 3-pointers after hitting only 163 the previous year. Staley adapted her style to her personnel and reaped the ultimate reward.
She adjusts with the times. She understood in this day and age, you have to shoot the 3 more.
– Assistant coach Khadijah Sessions
The New Standard in Women’s Basketball
With three national titles in the past eight seasons, South Carolina has established itself as the program in the sport. And Staley’s squad shows no signs of slowing down. 18,000-strong crowds pack Colonial Life Arena every game to cheer on the Gamecocks.
Staley has built a self-sustaining machine in Columbia. Top recruits flock there for the championship culture, passionate fans, and Staley’s unparalleled leadership. The dynasty origins trace back to Wilson’s commitment in 2014, but Staley nurtured it through a decade of dominance. South Carolina is now the gold standard in women’s basketball.
