Dawn Staley just led South Carolina to a perfect season and a national championship — with an entirely new starting five from last year.
After the Gamecocks won their second title in three years, and became the first team to go undefeated to the title since 2016, Staley took time to shout out, her players, her coaches — and Iowa star Caitlin Clark.
“I want to personally thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport,” Staley said. “She carried a heavy load for our sport and it’s not going to stop here on the collegiate tour. When she’s the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft she’s going to lift that league up as well. So Caitlin Clark, if you’re out there, you are one of the GOATs of our game and we appreciate you.”
From one 🐐 to another @dawnstaley 🤝 @CaitlinClark22#NationalChampionship x 🎥 ABC / @GamecockWBB pic.twitter.com/j5CFdlx8f7
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 7, 2024
Staley then doubled down in her postgame press conference, congratulating the Hawkeyes and Clark for making it back to the championship. She also called them a “formidable opponent that took everything that we had to win a basketball game.”
“Her shoulders were heavy, getting a lot of eyeballs on our game,” Staley said of Clark. “And sometimes as a young person it can be a bit much. But I thought she handled it with class and I hope that with every step of the ladder of success that she goes, she’s able to elevate whatever room she’s in.”
When asked about the praise meant to her, Clark called it “special.”
“Anytime somebody like Coach Staley is able to recognize you and what you did for the game is pretty special,” she said.
“Obviously she’s somebody I respect so much. I respect what she’s done for South Carolina, I respect what she did as a player for our game. And anytime you can get the praises of her is pretty special, so it means a lot.”
