Dawn Staley discusses WNBA star Napheesa Collier's special trait that influenced her investment in Unrivaled

Dawn Staley grabbed the headlines when she was named one of the investors of Unrivaled, which will tip off on Friday in Miami. The South Carolina coach made her feelings known about investing in the newest women's professional basketball league, co-founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, in Wednesday's news conference ahead of the Gamecocks' clash with Alabama.

Staley told reporters that Collier influenced her to invest in Unrivaled. The two locked horns several times when Collier played for the UConn Huskies, but now they have teamed up for a venture to help elevate women's basketball in the United States.

"I believe in people, like I do. Napheesa [Collier] was somebody that I coached and somebody I know," Staley said (Timestamp 4:01). "Someone who works hard. She’s a hard worker and doesn’t take a day off."

"So you know you can back people who are going to do whatever they need to do to make it be successful."

Dawn Staley added that she has no doubt in her mind that Unrivaled would be a huge success once it starts.

"I think it’s a great time because we’re in a great place where women’s basketball is wanted. We’re in demand. You want more and more and more," Staley said.

"I think it’s going to be a success. You know I would have supported it without monetarily supporting it. Just because I’m a fan and enthusiast for women’s basketball."

Dawn Staley and Napheesa Collier joined forces to win Olympic gold for Team USA

This isn't the first time Dawn Staley and Napheesa Collier have teamed up in a women's basketball setting. They were both part of the United States team that won the gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics. The Americans defeated Japan 90-75 in the final to claim their seventh consecutive gold medal at the event.

Staley, who won Olympic gold as a player in 1996, 2000 and 2004, became coach of the national team in 2017. She led Team USA to victory in the 2020 Summer Games, extending her unbeaten Olympic record to 45-0. Collier was one of Staley's players in Tokyo, averaging 1.3 points and 0.8 rebounds through four games.

Gold medalist Napheesa Collier of Team United States poses for a photo during the Women's basketball medal ceremony on Day 16 of the 2024 Paris Olympics at Bercy Arena on August 11, 2024. Photo: Getty

Collier represented Team USA again in the 2024 Paris Olympics. They won the gold medal after beating host nation France 67-66 in the final. Collier had a more prominent role in this tournament, averaging 6.7 points and 6.5 rebounds through six games.