"The Dawn Staley effect is real": College hoops world reacts to South Carolina WBB selling out season tickets for 2024 season

Fans reacted as for the first time in South Carolina Gamecocks’ history, Dawn Staley’s program has sold out its season tickets. The feat comes after USC dominated the last decade in average attendance.

On Wednesday, the program announced the sale of record-breaking 13,046 season tickets. The tickets for the remaining games will be up for purchase on a game-to-game basis.

These tickets will be available next week. The Gamecocks will also implement a "Fast Break Pass" for fans, enabling them to avoid concession stand lines and enter the arena 30 minutes before the regular ticket holders.

Fans stormed the comment section to acknowledge Staley's impact behind South Carolina's record sales:

"Ofcourse they did. Lol smh. 🤣 Hate sc 🙄. They always gotta be amazing and shit. Always beating us. It's that damn dawn staley," a fan wrote.

'The Dawn Staley effect is real 👏🏽," another fan commented.

"Chip #3 for Dawn Staley & Co???," another fan wrote.

Despite Caitlin Clark's exit from the college circuit, some fans cited USC's feat to the former Iowa Hawkeyes star:

"HOW!? Without CC," a fan commented.

"And of course they will lie & say this is unconnected to the Caitlin Clark phenomenon..," another fan wrote.

"The Caitlin Clark effect🔥," another fan commented.

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Dawn Staley's roster plays its first game next week

Before the Gamecocks begin their season on Nov. 4 against the Michigan Wolverines, Staley’s roster will be a part of a charity exhibition game against Memphis. The game will take place at FedEx Forum on Oct. 15 to support the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. All the earnings from the fixture will be donated to the hospital.

South Carolina will play the Clayton State Lakers in an exhibition game on Oct. 28. Staley’s roster will enter the 2024-25 season as the favorite to win the NCAA tournament. The program mounted an undefeated championship run last season, becoming only the third women’s basketball team to do so since 2000.

Except Kamilla Cardoso, the Gamecocks' frontcourt anchor from last season, all the players return for the new season. While Sakima Walker will be expected to take up the frontcourt role, transfers and incoming freshmen like Maryam Dauda, Joyce Edwards and Maddy McDaniel will play key roles in maintaining USC's dominance.