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Dawn Staley Makes Strong Statement on Former South Carolina Stars

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Max Escarpio | Last updated Jun 16, 2025 12:47 AM ET

South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley has been leading one of the best programs in the sport for years.

Staley led South Carolina to the national title last season, looking to earn the fourth championship of her coaching career with the Gamecocks.

While the Gamecocks had a talented toster they suffered a loss to the UConn Huskies in the national title game.

As Staley looks to lead her team back to the mountaintop so the Gamecocks could have an opportunity to win a national title, she's taking in the WNBA season.

Staley's former players, Allisha Gray and Te-Hina Paoao, put on a show on Father's Day, leading the Atlanta Dream to an 89-56 win over the Washington Mystics.

The South Carolina head coach sent a message to her former players after their win over Washington.

"Shout out to @GamecockWBB own @Graytness_15 @tehinapaopaoo showing out with career high in points for their daddies on Father’s Day," Staley said. "Com going to have to save this post bc I know it’s going to happen again!"

Shout out to @GamecockWBB own @Graytness_15 @tehinapaopaoo showing out with career high in points for their daddies on Father’s Day! Com going to have to save this post bc I know it’s going to happen again!
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) June 16, 2025

In the win over the Washington Mytsics, Te-Hina Paoapo posted 16 points, one rebound and five assists. Gray finished the game with 32 points, five rebounds and four assists.

Dawn Staley has been with the South Carolina Gamecocks since 2008. Aside from leading South Carolina to three national titles, Staley has led the Gamecocks to seven Final Four appearances, nine SEC regular season titles and nine SEC Tournament titles.

She'll to help South Carolina get back to the top next season, looking for vegence from the national title game loss.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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