"We’re going to do whatever we need to raise awareness": Dawn Staley shows excitement for South Carolina vs. Memphis in charity showdown for St. Jude

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley is preparing for another season with the Gamecocks. After the historic undefeated season last year, the pressure is on as the team attempts to defend its 2024 NCAA championship.

Before South Carolina begins its regular season, it has two preseason exhibition games against the Memphis Tigers and Clayton State Lakers. The game against the Tigers will be to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Dawn Staley expressed her excitement about the game.

“The people showed me so much love that I’m really looking forward to it,” she said (via Memphis Commercial Appeal). “And, then, we’re going to do whatever we need to do to raise awareness for St. Jude.

"We’re going to have an opportunity to meet the decision-makers at St. Jude that help put this all on, which is great, because it doesn’t happen without their innovative thinking. To be able to make it public and help benefit the families and the children and the research from us just bouncing a basketball. I think it’s a great cause to get behind.”

The game will tip-off on Oct. 15 at the FedEx Forum and will be available on ESPN+. This event is a double header as the Gamecocks vs Tigers game will follow the matchup between Hubert Davis' North Carolina and Penny Hardaway's Memphis.

“It’s a cool setting,” Staley said. “Our kids will get a chance to see Penny [Hardaway]. I’m sure he’s young enough to where they remember him. They don’t remember me.

"And then, North Carolina has a great brand. I’m sure (my team) will be excited about all that as well as celebrating women’s basketball and all the great things Memphis is doing."

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Dawn Staley shares her thoughts on her new roster

After her championship-winning season, Dawn Staley has retained most of her roster except one: Kamilla Cardoso, who moved to the WNBA. The loss is manageable as players like Sakima Walker can step into the role and defend the post.

However, Staley said that her team is not quite there yet.

“They have not made it to preschool. So we're still very much in the midst of daycare. And I don’t care because if they can win us a national championship if they can bottle it up and do it again, let’s go with daycare.”

Dawn Staley is hopeful that as the season progresses, they will be able to get better and potentially win the program's first back-to-back.

After the preseason games, South Carolina will take on Michigan on Nov. 4 to tip off the new season.