“We were doing big things before you came”: When Dawn Staley cracked up A’ja Wilson with witty banter

Dawn Staley took over the South Carolina Gamecocks program in 2008, and she has since led the team to three national championships. One of the key players in South Carolina's 2017 NCAA title win was A'ja Wilson.

Right before the 2022 March Madness Sweet 16 game, when Staley won her second championship, the coach sat down for a chat with Wilson for her "NETLIFE with Dawn Staley" show on Just Women's Sports.

While talking about the program's journey over the years, Staley said:

"I'm super excited that we get the chance to experience our eighth in a row. That means that we started Sweet 16 before you got to South Carolina. So, I know you made us into a powerhouse, but we were doing big things before you came. We were elevating for you." (12:50)

A'ja Wilson played a crucial role in raising the South Carolina program to national attention. And despite graduating from the school years ago, the Las Vegas Aces center continues to maintain her relationship with Dawn Staley, reaching out for advice and more.

The coach recalled one such moment during an interview with CBS Sports. In 2023, the Aces were attempting to win their second-in-a-row WNBA title, and Wilson wanted the advice of one veteran.

"She's probably going to kill me for saying this, but it actually brought me to tears," Staley said. "She (A'ja Wilson) texted me probably a week ago, that was before Game 1 of the Finals, and she asked me for Sheryl Swoopes' number. She said, 'I need her number because I want to know how to repeat.'"

Dawn Staley attempts to lead South Carolina on its first back-to-back title win

Last season, South Carolina won the NCAA championship with an undefeated season run. The team entered the 2024-25 season as the undisputed favorite to repeat the title win, occupying the No. 1 spot in the AP poll.

Ten games into the season, the Gamecocks are now at No. 3 after they lost one crucial matchup to the UCLA Bruins. While Dawn Staley retained most of her roster, she lost a reliable big, as Kamilla Cardoso left for the WNBA. Chloe Kitts has stepped into the role, but consistency is needed if South Carolina hopes to repeat its March Madness success.

After the 85-53 blowout win over the No. 9 TCU Horned Frogs on Sunday, the Gamecocks prepare to host South Florida on Dec. 15.