South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley had her legacy further cemented with a statue reveal in Columbia. The Philadelphia native is just 54 years old but has already been inducted into both the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and the Basketball Hall of Fame. Staley took over the South Carolina women's basketball program in 2008 and has steadily built the Gamecocks into a juggernaut.

The three-time national champion in Columbia subsequently had her statue unveiled on Wednesday in grand fashion. A whole host of people were there to see Staley receive this honor.

It was a disappointing end to Dawn Staley and company's season in 2025. The Gamecocks were one game away from winning their third title in four years, but were blown out by a hungry UConn team. Despite the result, it was another very successful season for the program. Staley has now been to five Final Fours in a row and does not look to be slowing down at all. The Gamecocks are already being featured near the top of way-too-early rankings for next season, with several players from this past year's roster returning.

What's been interesting about Staley is the way she has evolved as a coach, particularly in recent years. The Gamecocks now have ten players in their regular rotation on an annual basis. The parity across the roster in minutes, as well as stats, is staggering for a program of this caliber and showcases the selfless culture that Staley has built. The only recent comparison to this in the men's game was when John Calipari implemented his platoon lineups during the 2014-2015 season. And this strategy has worked for the Gamecocks as they look to continue their dynasty next season.

Overall, it's no surprise that Staley received this honor. She has propelled South Carolina women's basketball to heights the school has never seen before. But even with all this success, the Gamecocks' head coach will enter next season with a massive chip on her shoulder. That's a concerning reality for the rest of the nation that is scrambling to keep pace with this championship-winning program.