Moved by the woman’s determination and resilience, Staley engaged her in conversation, quickly discovering that the woman, named Jasmine, was working multiple shifts to provide for her soon-to-be-born child. Jasmine shared openly about her dreams of continuing her education and ensuring a better future for her family.

Deeply touched by Jasmine’s story, Staley decided to take immediate action. Without hesitation, she generously offered Jasmine support that went far beyond a simple financial gesture. Staley committed to covering Jasmine’s tuition, ensuring that she could pursue higher education without the burden of financial stress.

But Staley’s generosity didn’t stop there. Recognizing Jasmine’s strong work ethic and dedication, Staley connected her with local resources for prenatal care and maternal support, promising continued guidance and mentorship. This incredible act of kindness underscores Staley’s commitment to uplifting her community, especially empowering women who are balancing motherhood with their aspirations.

The story quickly went viral, inspiring countless others to step forward with their own acts of kindness and support. Jasmine, profoundly grateful, expressed her amazement at the unexpected generosity, sharing, “This isn’t just helping me—it’s changing my child’s future. Dawn Staley didn’t just notice me, she believed in me.”

Dawn Staley’s compassionate gesture reminds us all of the profound impact we can make by recognizing and uplifting one another in our everyday lives.

Dawn Staley: We deserve to be the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament

South Carolina forward Sania Feagin celebrates after scoring against Texas during the second half during of an NCAA college basketball game in the final of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Sunday, March 9, 2025, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said her team deserves to be the No. 1 overall seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament following a dominant run through the Southeastern Conference Tournament, culminating in an impressive 64-45 rout of No. 1 Texas in Sunday’s championship game.

The Gamecocks (30-3) entered the SEC Tournament ranked fifth in the country and projected to be a No. 2 seed.

But after throttling three league foes by 18, 21 and 19 points, a No. 1 seed now seems to be a lock.

However, Staley thinks her team has earned more.

“When you win this tournament and play the schedule that we play, I do think we’re the No. 1 overall seed,” Staley said. “We manufactured our schedule to put ourselves in this situation. So, I hope the committee doesn’t discount our entire resume. There isn’t anybody in the country that has played the schedule that we have played, that had share of the regular season title, won this tournament and beat the No. 1 team in the country. … there is no one.”

She argued that the Gamecocks’ 2024-25 resume — which includes 12 wins against Top 25 teams, including two against Texas — should count for something. South Carolina boasts a 7-3 record against Top 10 teams, with their three losses coming against No. 1 Texas, No. 3 Connecticut and No. 4 UCLA.

The Gamecocks’ 30-game regular-season schedule included 13 games against teams in the AP Top 25 at the time of the game — two more than any other ranked team.

Staley said was “shocked” to learn her team was the No. 2 seed coming into the tournament.

“If you get so much credit for beating us, and yet when we have had some of the toughest stretches in the country and came out of it unscathed, you can’t discount that,” Staley said. “You can’t discredit that. I’m going to speak up about it because you have to hear the voice of the other side. Because if you don’t think our body of works deserves it, then you need to speak out on it.”

She added: “I’m going to go down fighting for what our team earned.”

South Carolina, Dawn Staley will play Southern Cal, Juju Watkins in bicoastal series

South Carolina women’s basketball will play Southern California in a bicoastal series with games in 2025 and 2026.

According to a news release from South Carolina on Monday, the two nationally ranked teams will compete in “The Real SC” hosted by Complete Sports Management. The first game will be Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Crypto Arena in Los Angeles, and the second will take place on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville.

“I will always choose elevating women’s basketball, and that’s especially true in scheduling,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said in the release. “I know Complete Sports Management has the same mission, and I like their creativity in bringing not just two great programs together but engaging their fan bases on both coasts in a debate they love to have.”

Southern Cal is led by star sophomore Juju Watkins, who is averaging 24.6 points per game this season.

South Carolina is 3-0 against the other USC, with the first win in 1988 and the most recent game in 2014. The Gamecocks (30-3) played in Los Angeles this season when they battled UCLA on Nov. 24.

The upcoming games are considered neutral site, as the Trojans normally play in the Galen Center, which is 2.7 miles from where the 2025 game will be played. South Carolina just won the SEC tournament championship in Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Sunday.