"I didn't care what I look like from my ankles up": When $12 million worth Dawn Staley recalled her deal with $115 billion company

South Carolina Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley has garnered praise and recognition for her groundbreaking achievements in women's basketball and her on-court fashion moments. When she is not wearing a Philadelphia Eagles jacket to support her favorite NFL team, she is rocking designer outfits by Gucci, Louis Vuitton, R13 and more.

One of the Philadelphia-born coach's signature looks is her basketball shoes from Nike. In a chat with Boardroom's Anthony Edwards on Nov. 6, 2023, the three-time national champion revealed how her love for Nike's shoes began.

"When you grow up in a city, when you grow up in the projects, a new pair of sneakers gives you life," she said. "Like, I didn't care what I looked like from my ankles up when I was growing up. I probably still don't because I'm such a sneaker head and through that process with Nike like, I was, I've been with Nike since 1995." (Timestamp: 10:22-10:46)

Dawn Staley, who has an estimated net worth of $12 million, per CelebrityNetWorth, received her signature Nike shoes, the Nike Zoom S5, in 1998. The sneakers featured the first initial of her last name and her jersey number along the supportive strap.

Recalling how she got her signature kicks, Staley said:

"Cheryl Swoops was the first in our generation to get a shoe. I think Lisa Leslie got signature shoes. And then, you know, it was me and I didn't even know I was a sneaker head out of our entire team, like the USA team. I was the one.

"So, when Nike sat me down and told me they wanted to give me a signature shoe, you know, I was in heaven because they really understand, like they understood that I knew what I was talking about." (Timestamp: 10:46-11:21)

Dawn Staley also talked about her experience with Nike and how the $115.2 billion company, as per Forbes, helped her through the journey of making sure that her shoes fit.

"They take you through the journey of making sure it's right, making sure it fits, getting your opinion," she said. "They mold your shoe, they mold your foot to make sure it fits your shoe. They were cutting edge with me." (Timestamp: 11:34-11:52)

Dawn Staley leads Gamecocks to tough test against UCLA Bruins

Dawn Staley's South Carolina Gamecocks will be in action against the UCLA Bruins on Sunday. The top-ranked Gamecocks will go for their 44th straight win against the No. 5-ranked Bruins, who are also unbeaten this season.

Staley expects the showdown to be a tough test for her team after a somewhat slow start this season. Asked how the Gamecocks plan to defend against the Bruins, Staley said:

"Lot of ways with a lot of different bodies, a lot of different abilities. I would imagine that it's just gonna be a tough game for us all."

The game takes place at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles.