Dawn Staley, the decorated head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team, has fiercely criticized ESPN Women’s Hoops over a headline she deemed a “lie.” The headline in question suggested that the narrative surrounding UConn star Paige Bueckers and her pursuit of a national title had overshadowed the accomplishments of Staley’s South Carolina squad.
The controversy erupted after ESPN Women’s Hoops posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Dawn Staley says narrative around Paige Bueckers and her quest to win a title has overshadowed South Carolina’s feats.” This post linked to an article containing quotes from Staley’s pre-championship game press conference.
Staley swiftly responded on X, directly quoting the ESPN post and adding: “LIES! Fix your headline please!”
Her strong reaction underscores a sentiment she expressed during her press conference. While acknowledging Bueckers’ exceptional talent and impact on the game, Staley emphasized that the focus on individual narratives often detracts from the achievements of her own players and their historic run.1 South Carolina entered the national championship game with a stellar record and the opportunity to secure their third title in four years.
Staley’s full comments revealed a nuanced perspective. She lauded Bueckers as a “great freakin’ player” and a likely No. 1 WNBA draft pick, whose career is “legendary” regardless of a national championship. However, she also pointed out a recurring pattern where narratives built around individual stars tend to overshadow her team’s collective achievements. She drew parallels to the previous year when Caitlin Clark’s journey dominated headlines leading up to South Carolina’s championship victory over Iowa.
“Sometimes we create these narratives about great players — Caitlin was one of them; Paige is one of them right now — and we tend to forget the narrative about what our kids have been able to do, going for their third in four years,” Staley2 stated. She expressed her desire for the focus to be equally on her players and their accomplishments.
The headline chosen by ESPN Women’s Hoops seemingly amplified the very issue Staley was addressing, framing her comments as solely about Bueckers overshadowing her team, rather than advocating for balanced coverage. This misrepresentation clearly incensed the highly respected coach, prompting her forceful public correction.
While the on-court battle between UConn and South Carolina remained the ultimate decider, Staley’s outspokenness highlights the ongoing discussion about media narratives in women’s basketball and the importance of recognizing the collective achievements of teams alongside individual star power. Her demand for a corrected headline underscores her unwavering commitment to ensuring her team receives the recognition she believes they deserve.
