South Carolina coach Dawn Staley recently reflected on a turning point in her career involving current WNBA superstar A’ja Wilson.
Staley explained that during Wilson’s time with the Gamecocks, she went against her own coaching staff. Today, the Hall of Fame coach and the WNBA MVP bond is defined by mutual respect and the championship success they built together at South Carolina.
Dawn Staley Reflects on Defining Decision With A’ja Wilson
In a recent conversation with Women’s Health, Dawn Staley and A’ja Wilson revisited a moment that tested their coach-and-player relationship and ultimately shaped the culture at South Carolina. When asked about handling disagreements, Staley explained that Wilson had a habit she called “blending.”
“A’ja was always the focal point of our team, and sometimes she just blended,” Staley said. “I call it ‘blending’ when you’re playing to the level of people who don’t have your talent or skill set, and she’s not a player that should blend on anybody’s sport at any time. One day, she was blending, so I kindly told her…”
Wilson quickly jumped in: “Kindly?!” Staley finished the thought, “I told her to go on the sideline and stay there for the rest of practice. Other coaches were trying to convince me to get her back in the practice. But I said no. You want to blend? Go ahead and blend. You want to be average? That’s where average people stay.”
Wilson admitted she did not enjoy that moment. “We’re both petty, so I was like, well, you’re not about to press my buttons! I’m good with being average! I’m okay! I’m fine!” she said with a laugh. “So, yeah, I don’t know if you kindly said stand over there… I think you said ‘GO over there.’ But yeah, I didn’t like that disagreement, although it taught me a lesson.”
RELATED: A’ja Wilson Gets Wholesome Surprise From Boyfriend Bam Adebayo After Winning 4th WNBA MVP
Their bond, however, went far beyond a single practice. Staley recalled seeing Wilson’s potential years earlier. “It was an incredible transformation, from her being in that gym at camp to when she actually came to [the University of] South Carolina… I saw her play in one tournament — it was the Disney tournament, remember? That’s when I knew.”
Staley added that Wilson’s growth was as much about confidence as it was about basketball. “Her game spoke for itself, but when you find yourself, your confidence, what you’re good at, your voice, that really elevates your play, because you know who you are.”
Wilson described her coach’s impact as deeply personal. “Coach Staley just took the job of my parents. God bless her, because I know that I was a lot. She was someone who always believed in me, but also allowed me to grow.”
For both Staley and Wilson, that tough sideline moment was less about punishment and more about expectation. It set the standard for what Wilson would become and left a lasting imprint on the Gamecocks’ program.