The South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball program has 13 players in the WNBA playing during the 2026 season. It's a huge accomplishment for longtime Gamecock head coach Dawn Staley, who has successfully coined the nickname "Dream Merchant" thanks to her player's success at the next level.
Well on Sunday evening, Coach Staley got to see several of her former players suit up for a regular-season matchup between the Indiana Fever and Las Vegas Aces. Between the two programs, she has five former players of hers, including A'ja Wilson and newly-signed Ta'Niya Latson of the Aces.
On the Fever, her former players include Aliyah Boston, Bree Hall and rookie Raven Johnson. Seeing Coach Staley get to reunite with her former players was an incredible moment to see:
Nothing like a Gamecock reunion ❤️
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 13, 2026
Dawn Staley had to pull up and show some love to her six former @GamecockWBB players after the Fever-Aces matchup! pic.twitter.com/yRuZlMqR0m
As for the game itself, the Fever notched a 109-75 victory. Indiana's offense was led by Kelsey Mitchell, who had 27 points, but Boston added 19 points with 11 rebounds and another four assists. For the Aces, Wilson led the way with 20 points and 12 rebounds, but Las Vegas' offense trailed for most of the game. Indiana star Caitlin Clark finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Aside from the former players she got to see on Sunday, Coach Staley has several other players across the league, including the Dream's Te-Hina Paopao, Allisha Gray and rookie Madina Okot, the Seattle Storm's Zia Cooke, Chicago's Kamilla Cardoso, Golden State's Laeticia Amihere and Sania Feagin, who recently was signed by the Portland Fire.
She is regarded as one of the greatest women's basketball head coaches of all time, compiling three national championships, eight Final Four appearances, and three Olympic gold medals. Aside from her current former players in the league, she has produced 21 WNBA Draft selections, including 13 taken in the first round.
As for the next big WNBA event Coach Staley might choose to go to, the league' All Star game is set for Saturday, July 25 in Chicago. She has three former players who will suit up in the game, including Wilson, Boston and Gray.
ALSO READ: Sania Feagin gets devastating injury news that no Gamecock fan wants to hear
Add us as a preferred source on Google