Dawn Staley gifts South Carolina players Louis Vuitton pieces ahead of Paris game

The South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team are opening the 2026-27 season in a unique venue. When Dawn Staley's team tips off against the No. 20 Maryland Terrapins, the game will take place in Paris, France. 

Ahead of her team's trip to The City of Light, Coach Staley gifted her team with some custom Louis Vuitton gear. The luxury brand is headquartered in Paris, and Coach Staley has been known to rock the brand while coaching. She made sure her team was set with some new wallets, as well as custom duffel bags: 

Last season, Coach Staley also gifted Southern players Louis Vuitton gifts during the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Columbia.  

As for the game between the Gamecocks and Terps, it will mark the ninth overall meeting between the two. South Carolina holds a 7-2 all-time lead in the series, which dates back to 2008. The game in France is part of the 2026 Oui Play Event, which will also feature a game between No. 12 North Carolina and No. 21 Oklahoma.

Although there have been several protests in Paris in recent weeks, Coach Staley had stated that she has been in communication with event officials to ensure her players are safe before, during and after the game itself.  

“The event organizer, they know we don’t want to put any of our teams, our players in harm’s way,” Staley told reporters via The State newspaper. “They assured us that the place is secure. There is a security organization that all the teams have to make sure that it’s a safe environment.”

Monday's game will tip off in Paris on Monday at 2 p.m. ET, 7 p.m. local Paris time. The Gamecocks will then return stateside for the Nov. 8 game against No. 12 UNC in Charlotte. Coach Staley will likely do some advanced scouting of the Tar Heels in Paris.

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