South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley has something unique in common with her former player and Gamecock great A’ja Wilson. Both now have statues of their likenesses in Columbia. During Staley’s remarks Wednesday at the unveiling of her own statue, she took time to defend Wilson’s statue in light of an opposing coach’s recent remarks.

The two legendary head coaches exchanged some pointed statements in April after Dawn Staley was honored by her local community with a statue.

Two coaching legends in women’s college basketball stand at the forefront: Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks and Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies. Their remarkable achievements have not only transformed their respective programs but also elevated the sport to unprecedented heights.