“Luck visits you when you’re prepared”: South Carolina HC Dawn Staley delivered rousing speech to energize team before March Madness Selection Sunday

The South Carolina Gamecocks went undefeated this season, winning all 38 of their games and claiming their third national title in seven years with coach Dawn Staley. Before March Madness Selection Sunday, Staley delivered a rousing speech about 'luck' in March.

She encouraged her players to focus on themselves and to avoid complaining, emphasizing that Selection Sunday was just a small part of their journey. Staley stressed the importance of focusing on what they can control and how they perform on the court.

“That's really, really important. really focus in on us, okay? Focus in on us. That's it. Let's not complain,” Staley said. “This is only a small part of what our journey is going to be. Really, we need to focus on the things that we can control, who we are in this circle, how we perform each and every minute that we're on this floor. That's what we can control, and we will.” [1:25]

Gamecocks HC Dawn Staley reminded the players that luck comes to those who are well-prepared.

“And once we get down to that... It's a really exceptional basketball team, okay? That's who we are,” Staley said. “That's who we performed as all year long. We got a little bit [of] luck on our side, especially this past weekend, but luck visits you when you prepared well.” [2:00]

North Philly school celebrates Dawn Staley's 3-time NCAA champion legacy

Dawn Staley, a 3-time NCAA champion and Philadelphia native, was honored by Murrell Dobbins Career and Technical Education High School in North Philadelphia. The school held a ceremony to celebrate Staley's legacy.

Staley coached the University of South Carolina's women's basketball team, the Gamecocks, to a victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes in the women's NCAA tournament title game, completing an undefeated season.

After the game, Staley spoke to ESPN's Holly Rowe, saying:

"They made history. They etched their names in the history books when this is the unlikeliest group to do it. When [God] closes a door, he opens up a door that's giving you unimaginable success."

The team's win avenged their loss to Iowa in the previous year's Final Four semifinal game, and the telecast broke records for women’s basketball with nearly 19 million viewers.

In back-to-back seasons, coach Dwan Staley has amassed an astounding record of 75-1. She stands as the sole Black coach in Division One basketball to achieve an undefeated season and the only one to claim three championship titles.

What impact do you think Coach Staley's achievements have had on the landscape of women's basketball? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!