Dawn Staley on Knicks Coaching Job, Philly WNBA Expansion & South Carolina Dynasty | Ep. 5

Summary

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Post Moves with Candace Parker & Aliyah Boston

Episode 5: Dawn Staley on Knicks Coaching Job, Philly WNBA Expansion & South Carolina Dynasty

Release Date: August 27, 2025

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Main Theme & Purpose

In this engaging episode, Candace Parker and Aliyah Boston welcome the legendary coach and trailblazer Dawn Staley. They trace Staley’s basketball journey from Philly to Olympic gold, break down her impact on college basketball’s biggest stage at South Carolina, and explore her ambitions beyond coaching—including WNBA team ownership and her thoughts on NBA opportunities. The episode is peppered with insightful stories, honest locker-room moments, and behind-the-scenes reflections, giving listeners a candid look at leadership, legacy, and Staley’s one-of-a-kind mentoring style.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. WNBA Season Updates & Player Mindsets

Timestamps: 02:00 – 08:20

• Candace Parker’s Jersey Retirement:

  • Candace explains (humorously dodging the limelight) being back in Chicago to celebrate her jersey retirement, sharing how special it is to bring her family back to where her basketball journey began.

• Indiana Fever & Team Resilience:

  • Aliyah’s mindset as Fever fights for playoff position, highlighting the focus on “staying bought in and together,” especially after close losses and ongoing injuries.
  • Candace and Aliyah break down roster difficulties, including the unprecedented use of hardship contracts (17 players on the Fever roster this season).
    • “It goes back to the cry of, like, expand the roster.” – Candace (07:13)
  • Positive locker room energy:
    • “At the end of the day...we just have to hoop. Like it doesn’t matter if it’s pretty...we just have to go out there, play for each other and just simply hoop.” – Aliyah (06:20)

• Aces’ Historic Win Streak:

  • Discussion of Vegas’ resurgence after a 53-point loss, now on a record 10-game win streak.
    • “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face...and Las Vegas got punched in the face.” – Candace (10:07)
  • MVP conversations heat up:
    • “If A’ja scores 30, they win. Good luck.” – Candace (09:18)

• Paige Bueckers’ 44-Point Game:

  • Both hosts marvel at Paige’s old-school, efficient midrange dominance and its impact on the WNBA’s scoring trends.

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2. Dawn Staley Joins – Early Influences & South Carolina Dynasty

Timestamps: 14:31 – 22:30

• Early Mentoring of Aliyah Boston:
  • Staley recounts recruiting Aliyah:
    • “The Aaliyah that we recruited...was so talkative...she got to South Carolina, she wouldn’t say a word. She was actually deferring to upperclassmen. I wanted that Aaliyah.” – Dawn (17:00)
  • On Aliyah’s evolution:
    • “She probably came in as the smartest player, like, ever in the history of our program. Just really understands how to play the game.” – Dawn (17:44)
  • Lighthearted roasting on Aliyah’s dance progression, from “only toddlers could appreciate her dancing” to viral TikTok stardom (19:38, 20:09).

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3. Dawn Staley: Building, Leading, & Changing the Game

Timestamps: 22:30 – 32:00

• Pioneering Era Reflection:

  • Dawn explains the legacy of the 1996 Olympic team’s year-long preparation and how it launched both the WNBA and ABL:
    • “We felt the pressure of having the state of women’s basketball on our shoulders so we couldn’t fail...It was well worth it now that we see how women’s basketball is received.” – Dawn (23:14)

• Coaching Mindset & South Carolina’s Rise:

  • Candace notes Staley’s parallel as a coach and a player, both defined by “grind” and building South Carolina into a powerhouse.
  • “My mindset is always basically what is best for the game...Even to our...detriment, to South Carolina’s detriment, I really do look out for the game.” – Dawn (25:52)

• March Madness, Edge, & Locker Room Culture:

  • Honest, behind-the-scenes account of South Carolina’s growth after tough losses:
    • “She just kept going. And then we won the Natty that year.” – Aliyah (29:25)
    • “I do credit that loss for us winning. And I would trade SEC tournament championships for national championships any day.” – Dawn (30:42)
  • Candace and Dawn see adversity and tough practices as essential for postseason success.

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4. Aliyah Boston’s Resilience – Growth After Failure

Timestamps: 32:00 – 36:30

• Dealing with Devastation & Coming Back Stronger:
  • Dawn describes giving Aliyah space to process a heartbreaking loss (missed tip-in vs UConn), but pushing her toward redemption:
    • “You slowly...give her space. If you stay in this space, you’re not setting yourself up for the come up.” – Dawn (33:25)
    • Aliyah returned “slim...and just put us on her back and willed us to a championship.” – Dawn (34:54)
  • Recognition of Aliyah’s annual growth and MVP-level impact, often overlooked due to team adversity but deserving of broader acclaim.

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5. Legacy & New Initiatives: Staley’s Book, Philadelphia, and the Next Chapter

Timestamps: 37:36 – 47:44

• Writing “Uncommon Favor”:

  • Dawn shares the reasons for publishing now, crediting her undefeated season and a push from Charlamagne Tha God.
  • “It was written out of love, and it’s received with that same love.” – Dawn (38:17)

• Motto – “Do what you don’t want to do to get what you want”:

  • Emphasizes the necessity of community outreach as a coach and the organic way South Carolina’s fan base grew.

• Philly Roots:

  • Dawn credits growing up in North Philly for her resilience and dogged mindset:
    • “When you go up in North Philly...it makes you strong. Like, it’s...there isn’t anything that we can’t do if we put our minds to it. It really is a mindset and mentality.” – Dawn (44:39)

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6. The Future: WNBA Ownership, NBA Ambitions, and the Knicks Interview

Timestamps: 46:22 – 50:49

• On WNBA Ownership vs Coaching:
  • “I want ownership. I don't want to be a coach. Coach is just a part of the process. I want to be in the room helping to make decisions...That’s the sweat equity that I want, but I want that as an owner.” – Dawn (47:03)
• Candid Thoughts on NBA Coaching – Knicks Interview:
  • Dawn openly discusses interviewing for the Knicks, what it meant, and her reasons for pursuing it:
    • “If the Knicks would have offered me the job, I would have had to do it. Not just for me. It's for women. For...just to break open that.” – Dawn (47:58)
  • Reflection on how tough questions to the organization may have cost her the job, but underscores the league’s need to truly be ready for female head coaches.

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7. Unfiltered Fan Q&A with Dawn Staley

Timestamps: 50:49 – 57:10

• True Crime Addict:

  • Dawn reveals her obsession with true crime content (Dateline, Forensic Files) and even attending real murder trials.
    • “I fall asleep to Forensic Files.” – Dawn (51:27)
    • “It was so much stimulation...I can't get enough of this.” – Dawn (52:38)

• Most Memorable Career Moment:

  • Surprised by the “unlikeliest group” going undefeated in 2024, but Candace puts in a word for the joy and significance of the first national title (2017).

• Philly Athlete Mount Rushmore:

  • Dr. J, Jalen Hurts, Allen Iverson, and Mike Schmidt make Dawn’s cut (56:29–57:07).
    • “I'm putting Jalen on there. I don't care. Jalen Hurts. I'm putting him on there. I know he's young.” – Dawn (56:38)

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8. Closing Moments & “You Got This” Segment

Timestamps: 58:51 – 61:43

• ‘You Got This’ Moment by Candace Parker:
  • Spotlight on Venus Williams’ return to the US Open, celebrating trailblazers and resiliency at all ages.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dawn Staley on legacy and the grind:

  • “I just, I just, I love basketball. Like, I truly. Like, it's my passion. It's the very thing I never cheat on.” (25:52)

• On coaching vs. NBA opportunity:

  • “If the Knicks would have offered me the job, I would have had to do it. Okay. Not just for me. It's for women.” (47:58)

• On loss and motivation:

  • “I do credit that loss for us winning. And I would trade SEC tournament championships for national championships any day.” (30:42)

• Candace on adversity’s value:

  • “As much as practice sucks, I think we'd run any amount of line drills if it promised us a new mindset going into the NCAA tournament.” (31:34)

• Aliyah to Dawn:

  • “Thanks, girl. That was so sweet. That was so sweet.” (37:36)

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Episode Timeline: Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:00 | Candace’s jersey retirement, Chicago memories | | 03:22 | Fever’s season, injuries, and locker room energy | | 08:22 | Aces’ win streak, MVP race updates | | 10:37 | Paige Bueckers’ 44-point game and the value of the midrange | | 14:31 | Dawn Staley joins the show | | 17:00 | Early stories on recruiting and mentoring Aliyah | | 19:38 | Dance evolution laughter, TikTok memories | | 22:34 | Dawn recounts the 1996 Olympic team, building the WNBA | | 25:52 | Coaching wisdom: always grinding and focusing on growing the game | | 26:57 | The pivotal Kentucky loss and transformation into championship mindset | | 30:42 | Wins stemming from adversity; national title priorities | | 33:01 | Aliyah’s resilience after heartbreak and her championship comeback | | 37:36 | Dawn’s book “Uncommon Favor” and the timing | | 44:39 | Philly upbringing’s impact on mentality | | 47:03 | On preferring WNBA ownership over coaching | | 47:58 | The Knicks head coach interview story | | 51:27 | True crime obsession | | 54:29 | Dawn’s most memorable career moment: 2024 undefeated season | | 56:29 | Mount Rushmore of Philly athletes | | 58:51 | Venus Williams’ “You Got This” shout out |

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Final Thoughts & Takeaways

• This episode shines with Dawn Staley’s blend of candor, loyalty, and ambitious vision for the future of women’s basketball.
• Candid tales of winning and losing reveal the emotional rollercoaster of elite competition and the transformative power of leadership.
• For aspiring athletes, coaches, and fans, the episode drives home the value of resilience, preparation, and never losing sight of bigger dreams—both on and off the court.

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Transcript

[Dawn Staley]

And she couldn't dance.

[Aaliyah Boston]

We were just talking about me finding my voice.

[Candice Barker]

When did you find your dance moves? That's what I wanna know. Because now all she does is dance.

[Aaliyah Boston]

It has progressed. Please.

[Dawn Staley]

I think her basketball was much quicker advancing than her dancing. But I never thought her dancing would get off to a place where she would make it public. Cause before, it could not be public. It wasn't even pg. It was bpg before pg. Like, only toddlers could appreciate her dancing.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Why would you say that?

[Dawn Staley]

Oh.

[Candice Barker]

What'S up, everyone? And welcome back to another episode of Post Moves. I'm Candice Barker here with my co host. Some people call her Ab, some people call her Big Guard. We on the Post Smooth show would like for you to stick to just being a post player, but. Aaliyah Boston.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Hey, guys, we are back. Don't forget our reviews, please. Five stars only. Okay? Because that's what we do over here.

[Candice Barker]

Yes, but first we got to tell them, follow us on Post Moves show on all socials, and don't forget to hit that subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Aaliyah Boston]

It doesn't matter. Anywhere you got this.

[Candice Barker]

Yeah, but they come out on Wednesdays. We've got a fun episode today, to say the least. I, uh, Dawn Staley is joining us. She tells a couple really amazing Aaliyah Boston stories. So just. Yeah, prelude to that. But before we get to that, where are you, Candace?

[Aaliyah Boston]

We should start there.

[Candice Barker]

Um, so I'm at the Four Seasons in Chicago, the best city in the summer ever. I love this hotel. I love this city, and I try to make it out here every summer. So I'm looking at the Willis Tower right now, which used to be the Sears Tower. Just the best skyline ever in Chicago.

[Aaliyah Boston]

I love that we're talking about the skyline and not the fact that you're getting your jersey retired today. Like, I like. I love that we're talking about the hotel, and we're just like, yeah, I'm just hanging out. Like, I love being in Chicago, but we're not talking about why. Like, congratulations first.

[Candice Barker]

Thank you. I think I'm most excited about, like, I grew up here, and so to be able to see a bunch of familiar faces where I first picked up the game of basketball is surreal. It's chaotic because I have the whole crew with me. So my daughter, my son, three and a half, and my one year old. So the flight here was like, did we really need to bring them, like, parents on the plane? Anya was trying to hand out snacks to all the people in the aisles to apologize for our rambunctious boys. But I was like, nah, like, nah. Sorry. The Port Parker boys are coming through. So yeah, we're in Chicago, really excited. But yeah, it's time for what we want to talk about. I'm going to transition to the next. If you get somebody, deflect, deflect, deflect. Fever recap. The fever fell to the Minnesota Lynx 97. 84 while on the road Sunday night. AB you put up a stellar stat line as we've seen time and time again this year. 14.7 rebounds, 5 assists.

[Aaliyah Boston]

See big guard. Big guard.

[Dawn Staley]

Yeah.

[Candice Barker]

In fact, you lead all centers this season in games with five plus assists.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Ooh, shout out my teammates. Look at them.

[Candice Barker]

Shout out your teammates. Shout out the ball. The dribble handoff. You and Kelsey Mitchell kill with that. But yeah, speaking of Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana was 26 points. Nafisa Collier and her debut back from her ankle injury scored 32 points. Unfortunately, this is the sixth loss in the past eight games and it puts you all at 19 and 18 on the season and in eighth place on the fringe of playoffs. Seven games left. What's your mindset? You know, take us into what's going on in between your ears.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Honestly, it's really just about staying bought in, staying together. I feel like that's always been our thing this entire season, staying together, being a close knit group. I mean, these two games to, to Minnesota, like we were just so close and I feel like there's nothing worse than just a close loss. Like there's nothing worse than that because you knew that little changes here and there, like you could have had that game. And so for us, it's just next game up. Like we can't worry too much about games down the line. We just have to worry about playing Seattle and then we head on the road back to the west coast with LA and the Valks and Phoenix. So we have a good stretch ahead of us, but it's just about continuing to show up.

[Candice Barker]

Man, I needed teammates like you in the locker room because after a tough stretch, it doesn't matter who you are as a professional athlete, you start to, you start to be in that little lull a little bit, you know, and trying to figure out how to dig yourself out of the hole. And basketball is so much about momentum, so much about confidence, and it's about feeling good going into the playoffs, but it's also about getting your teammates right, you know, and playing a specific style of play. And to be honest, with you. It's been really hard for you all just watching as a fan to play that particular style of play because you have had injuries all season. And I know we're in a no excuses league, we're in a results league. But Sophie Cunningham officially out for the season with McLaren. You got Harry MacDonald earlier, Sidney Coulson, Caitlin Clark is day to day. We're unsure about when she's going to come back from her groin injury. It just seems like especially at the guard position. And we all know how important it is to have a point guard run your offense and be confident and steady. And going into playoffs, you understand how important it is to have that quarterback at the start of your offense, that coach on the floor. What are those conversations like?

[Aaliyah Boston]

Yeah, honestly, we brought in Odyssey and Shay Petty and then we just signed Aerial Powers. And so for us, I mean, we just try to figure out different ways. I think sometimes, you know, they do a great job just getting us into our offense, but I think we just continue to try and find different ways to manipulate it a little bit on the offensive end, make defense have to guard a little bit different and just try to give ourselves some easier looks. Um, but at the end of the day, like every time we step on that court, like, we just have to hoop. Like it doesn't matter if it's pretty, it doesn't matter. It's not going to be perfect, but we just have to go out there, play for each other and just simply hoop. Do what you do. Get a, get a bucket, get a stop and just push the pace.

[Candice Barker]

Well, you mentioned guards Shay Petty signed to a seven day hardship contract. They actually had to wait for Sophie to sit out a game to be able to have that hardship rule, which is crazy. She actually had 16 points. Shea Petty last night against the Lynx. She looked good. She's a consummate vet. Honestly, six years in the league, played for Phoenix for so many years, knows what it takes. So I think that was a great signing. Ariel Powers, another seven day hardship contract, nine years in wnba. She most recently played for the Valkyries. But powers is the 17th player, yeah, 17th player to wear the Fever uniform this season. And no, the WNBA did not change the rules about roster sizes. This is actually the case. 17th player on an 11 man. 11, one 11, one man roster, which is insane. And I think it goes back to the cry of like, expand the roster. Because if you have someone that is the next man up with all of these injuries, at least they're familiar with.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Their offense, with the offense. And you're not trying to work through in the middle of season, end of the season type of thing, so. But honestly, everyone that we signed, no matter how late we signed them, had honestly just came in and just been ready and focused on what we do and just try to adjust the best they can. And honestly, I think everyone's just been doing a pretty great job.

[Candice Barker]

Like I said, I would have loved to play with you. You're so positive. No, for real, I would have loved to play with you because I think you need that on your squad. You need that in your locker room and you're going to win a lot of games because of that. Speaking of teams that have won a lot of games, the Aces are streaking right now.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Yep.

[Candice Barker]

With their win over the Mystics on Saturday, the Aces extended their win streak to 10 straight games. They were sitting on the brink of playoff contention 10 games ago, and now they have the longest single season winning streak since the franchise moved to Vegas, the longest win streak in the WNBA this season, and the longest win streak in the WNBA since 2021. It's incredible. I mean, hooping, 24 and 14, third in the standings. Pretty close. You look at the standings right now, there aren't a lot of games that mean it's just a half game between the second seed.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Yep.

[Candice Barker]

They play a big one against Atlanta this week as well, which Atlanta and them are kind of jockeying for position. They're 16 and 6 since acquiring Melissa Smith. Asia Wilson now has her 10th 30 point game. Hey, that's.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Listen, that's crazy work. That's crazy work.

[Candice Barker]

Listen, WNBA, if Asia scores 30, they win. Good luck.

[Aaliyah Boston]

That's.

[Candice Barker]

I'm sure the game plan is to stop Asia, but it has not.

[Aaliyah Boston]

She's been going off 30 points.

[Candice Barker]

I mean, she's closing the gap. I feel like. I know AT and Nafisa are big. Nafisa has been a little bit quieter as of late because of her injury. AT still putting up monster triple doubles, but MVP race getting a little interesting.

[Aaliyah Boston]

It's going to be interesting. I can't wait. It's going to be very interesting. I mean, everyone's just putting up numbers. Like, I feel like you see it like star players just doing what star players does and that's putting up numbers and helping their team. And I think when you look at the Aces on their streak, like Asia's putting up crazy numbers. Crazy numbers, efficient numbers, rebounding, like doing everything for them.

[Candice Barker]

And what's crazy is sometimes everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face and then Sometimes people wake up when you get punched in the face. And Las Vegas got punched in the face. August 2nd. They played the links. They lost by 53 points. The second largest defeat in league history. And guess what?

[Aaliyah Boston]

They haven't lost since they came back.

[Candice Barker]

They knew everybody has a plan. And then Vegas Aces are like, all right, we're hitting all cylinders. History in the WNBA.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Paige Beckers.

[Candice Barker]

Ms. Paige Beckers. Paige Beckers dropped 44 versus the Sparks. I was getting alerts, text messages. Are you watching this game? Most efficient, 40 piece, 80% field goal. It's just incredible to watch her. It's incredible to watch her.

[Aaliyah Boston]

And I think when you look at Paige's game, it's just overall just a smooth game. Like, she takes her time, she's patient. Whether she wants the post, the little turnaround jumper, she gets to her mid range. I mean, she finds her teammates. I think that's what makes it so hard, is that she's so poised and she doesn't get sped up and you.

[Candice Barker]

Hit it on the head. Honestly, I think in a league that is so dominated by layups and three pointers and this is what Paige talked about in one of her press conferences, that teams are willing to give up mid ranges. And we've seen how dominant the mid range game can be in the NBA now that everybody shoots threes. I mean, Shay Gilgeous Alexander doesn't shoot that many threes and he was the league MVP this year. There's still value in that midi. And Paige Becker's got a pretty mid range game. So she's lose. Bright future. Bright future.

[Aaliyah Boston]

After we won the national championship in 2022, I saw you, Candace, in the crowd and I just grabbed the mic and said it. I love you, girl.

[Candice Barker]

And I felt that because I saw myself in you. The joy, the pressure, the entire journey.

[Aaliyah Boston]

You've always been someone that I've looked up to. And hearing you say, you got this, that meant more to me than you probably even know.

[Candice Barker]

That's what Adidas is all about. The you got this campaign as a reminder that support, even one moment, one voice, can change everything.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Whether it's a coach, a teammate, a friend. Sometimes it just takes someone reminding you who you are.

[Candice Barker]

We've both had those people and now we're trying to be that for someone else.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Learn more about the youe got this [e-mail] yougot this and follow along. Adidas and Adidasus. This episode is brought to you by Smuckers Uncrustables. There's a reason Classics don't go out of style. PB and J. No crust, no mess, no notes. Check out Uncrustables, the best part of the sandwich.

[Candice Barker]

It's a round crimped sandwich made with soft, pillowy bread filled with peanut butter and jelly. Grab one from the freezer, let it thaw while you do your thing on the court, in the carpool, or whatever hustle you're on. This snack is for pro goats, little legends, and everyone in between. Find Smucker's Uncrustables in the freezer aisle. Learn [e-mail] it's that time of year again for many children across the country. School is back in session and school buses are on the road. This is a simple reminder for all drivers. You must slow down and prepare to stop when approaching a school bus from the front or behind when it's displaying flashing yellow lights. Those lights mean that the bus is getting ready to stop for students. Every state has a law that makes it illegal to pass a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended when it is stopped to load or unload. Students not stopping for a school bus or trying to beat the stop arm puts lives at risk and can result in large fines, points on your license, and even license suspension. If you're driving, especially in school zones or where children may be traveling to or from the school bus, slow down and stay alert. Paid for by nhtsa.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Well, Candice, I don't know about you, but I'm excited. Excited to hear from my girl. And I think it's time we bring on our guest. She's a six time WNBA all star, three time Olympic gold medalist, four time national coach of the year. My favorite girl, Coach Staley. Hey, girl. Hey.

[Dawn Staley]

Hey, Aaliyah.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Welcome to Post Moves. How you feeling?

[Dawn Staley]

I feel big. I feel like a post.

[Candice Barker]

A big guard. Exactly. Only big guards. Big guards only.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Big guards only. That's me. That's me. That's why I have to get like five assists, because that's the only reason I can qualify.

[Dawn Staley]

Is that it.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Here? You okay? We literally.

[Candice Barker]

We gotta start small. Okay. She got the dribble handoff back door pass. Now she's feeling herself, so.

[Aaliyah Boston]

And I'll hit Kelsey every time. And I'll hit Kelsey every time. We're so glad to have you on though. We're so glad. Early morning. Cause you already walked. Champ, how you doing?

[Dawn Staley]

We. We walked already. Champ is actually beside me, just knocked out.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Wow. He's exhausted.

[Dawn Staley]

He is. But. But if I. If I said the word T R, E, a T. Then he's up. Oh, he's up. He's up big time. He. He probably raised his head right now. Cause he could spell a little bit, too.

[Candice Barker]

Coach, I have a question. Your dog, does he mind, like, when you tell him to sit and, like, come and stay? Will he do those things?

[Dawn Staley]

He better if he wants to be alone.

[Candice Barker]

Absolutely.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Right.

[Candice Barker]

So you need to talk to Aaliyah, because she's a new dog owner, a new dog mom, and that's not the case. The dog has interrupted several podcasts, has messed up. I mean, just always is misbehaving.

[Aaliyah Boston]

You know, he's only child, and I think Ozzy and I think sometimes he has only child syndrome. You know, they're so dramatic, their breeds. So we're working on sit.

[Dawn Staley]

I mean, you had. Wait, you had a dog since.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Not since. Don't do me like that. We literally. Don't do me like that.

[Dawn Staley]

You had a dog since. I remember.

[Aaliyah Boston]

It's been like, three months, four months. Oh, he knows how to sit now. Does he listen? I don't know, but he knows.

[Dawn Staley]

That'S a mom thing.

[Candice Barker]

And that really is where the perfect transition is, actually, because it really does come down to the parents with how the kids, you know, behave and act and things like that. And Aaliyah happens to be that parent slash, player that you got to know very well at a young age. So I just need you to let us into the freshman Aaliyah. When she first arrived on campus, what was that experience?

[Aaliyah Boston]

Like, super fun for her?

[Dawn Staley]

I mean, in the beginning, I would say the Aaliyah that we recruited, the Aaliyah that was so talkative and so inquisitive, and she got to South Carolina, she wouldn't say a word, like, nothing. Like, nothing. Like. And then I did. I had to talk to her. I was like, well, why aren't you talking? Like, why aren't you? And she was actually deferring. She was deferring to upperclassmen. And I just never saw her as the type. Like, I see her as the type. Right is right, wrong is wrong. Doesn't matter where the information's coming from, as long as we get the information. So I wanted that Aaliyah. And I think once we started having those conversations, she started just blossoming, like. Cause she has. I mean, she is super smart. Like, she probably came in as the smartest player, like, ever in the history of our program. Just. Just smart. Just really understands how to play the game, but also play the game like she on and off the court, she could play the game. Like, she is one that is always going to get what she wants because she knows how to play the game. And that's. That's. She's got an old soul. And I would. I would. I would have to give her mom the credit, but also her dad. Now, her dad is sneaky. Like, he's the one that is chill, but he's got a powerful mind. Like, they work just as a family, like, so cohesively that if you didn't give the dad, like, he doesn't want attention, but he surely wants to know that he matters, but not a lot of attention. So I think it was cool. Great family.

[Aaliyah Boston]

You know us for real. How do you know that? How do you know that? But seriously, I remember when it was definitely freshman year. I don't know what. When we talked, it was like after a practice or something. You were just talking about, like, you need to speak up, you need to use your voice. You need to do all that. And I remember coming back and I was talking to my mom, and I was like, mom, coach said, I just understand what she wants me to do. Like, there's just people older than me. Like, I don't know what I'm supposed to say, what I'm supposed to do. And my mom's like, yes, you do. Like, you know exactly what you're supposed to say, what you're supposed to do. And I was like, okay. And I feel like actually from that moment, whenever it was, I think it was actually after we did, like, captains and stuff that first year, and it was like, okay, you can. You can find it. You can find it. Like. And then after that, it was kind of like, vibes were high. Now I'm making TikToks. Right, right.

[Dawn Staley]

And she couldn't dance. Like, she couldn't dance. She couldn't dance. Like, are you.

[Aaliyah Boston]

We were just talking about me finding my voice and not when I was just.

[Dawn Staley]

TikTok.

[Candice Barker]

When did you find your dance moves? That's what I want to know. Because now all she does is dance.

[Aaliyah Boston]

It has progressed. Please.

[Candice Barker]

So you found your dance moves in the wnba or was it in college still?

[Aaliyah Boston]

It was in college. I really, like, sophomore year, I was like, peaking junior year, like, you can't tell me anything. Senior year, I run the app, and now it's like, I just. You just go off.

[Dawn Staley]

It's unbelievable. The transformation of the. You know, the. From when she couldn't dance to dance, it was actually. I think her basketball was much better, much quicker advancing than her Dancing. But I never thought her dancing would get off to a place where she would make it public. Because before it could not be public. It wasn't even pg. It was B PG before pg. Like, like only Tyler's could appreciate her dancing.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Why would you say that?

[Dawn Staley]

Oh, my bad. Did I, did my bubble talk? Did my, did my bubble just talk?

[Aaliyah Boston]

I didn't say that. I just couldn't. Like I could only do one move at a time and then the music, it was just too fast. And then they want to add like footwork and it didn't really work that way.

[Dawn Staley]

I don't understand. She's an Islander. Like I actually there was one TikTok post that I saw you and I was like, uh huh. This is the islander that I never have seen. Like you were gyrating. And I was like, I've never seen that.

[Aaliyah Boston]

It was the one with Sid and Steph and it was like wa, wa and wa and yeah. Mm.

[Dawn Staley]

That was impressive. Cause that was the first time. Yes, yes. You got good teammates.

[Candice Barker]

As much as everyone knows you all for dancing, I think they know you a little bit more about than for basketball. And I really want to know, like don, watching that 96 documentary of the first, you know, the Olympic team and kind of going into the WNBA and seeing the stories behind the curtain of you all. I mean, obviously Donna, you're an early pioneer. You first played in the ABL for the Richmond Rage and then you later on played for the Sting in the Comets. I mean, I became a fan during 96 watching you in the Olympics and then the inaugural season in the WNBA in 97. What can you say now? A three time champion in college, being one of five head coaches with at least three women's national basketball, you know, championships. I mean, honestly, like looking back at your early days, like, tell us, take us on that journey, tell us what the mindset was of players. Because everybody looks at where women's basketball is now, but it was built by y' all then.

[Dawn Staley]

And I will actually go back even a little bit further because I think it became popular after like the 96 Olympic Games where, you know, women. It was the women's Olympic Games where soccer, softball, all of the women's sports did so well. But for us in basketball, I don't know whose idea it was to keep us together for one year prior to the Olympic Games in Atlanta, but it was genius. I don't know if it was David Stern, I don't know Renee Brown, I don't know who it was, but it was genius, because, one, we needed to win because we lost in 92. So I think everything was predicated on us having to win in our home country. And the documentary was on point. We worked extremely hard. I think we probably worked too hard, but it is how Tara had to do it to make her feel good, to have sacrificed an entire year from her Stanford team to us, to her feeling the pressure of having to win. And then in the middle of that, two professional leagues were birthed from us training in that. In that setting. So we felt the pressure of having the state of women's basketball on our shoulders so we couldn't fail. Like, it was a place where we couldn't fail. So we applied the pressure on ourselves. We practiced hard. We built this sisterhood that is still strong to this day. And we, you know, it was well worth it now that we see how women's basketball is received and demand that we're currently in. And it was well worth us going through what we went through to get us to this place.

[Candice Barker]

And what would you say? Because I think your basketball career was built on the grind, right? Being together for a year, I think a lot of us just kind of skipped past that to be working at something for a year. The Olympics. Now you show up, you do a couple training camps, you do a couple days before you go to the Olympics, do a couple. What do they call it, Friendly games. And then you play the Olympics, and then you're back in your WNBA season to be together for an entire year. But everybody looks at the success in your coaching career at South Carolina. I remember the days back when you recruited Candice Dupree and she was your first big recruit. And I remember seeing you on the road when I'd be in AAU times. And then when you got your opportunity to go to South Carolina, I remember playing at South Carolina, at Tennessee, when there were zero people in the. I mean, our game was probably the biggest game when we would go play somewhere and there would still only be a few fans in the stands. And to see now South Carolina selling out and leading the nation in attendance, your career as a coach has kind of mirrored that as a player. What does that say about your personality, your growth and your ability to kind of just continue to grind?

[Dawn Staley]

Well, I mean, I just, I just, I, I, I love basketball. Like, I truly. Like, it's my passion. It's the, it's the very thing I never cheat on. Like, it is, it guides me. It. It makes me make good decisions. Like. Cause I don't want the impact of Ever discrediting the game, like, or my family, like, it's all tied into that. I think it's. I only want us to win. Like, I only want women's basketball and women's basketball players to win. So my mindset is always basically what is best for the game. And I will say this even. Even to our. Like, to my detriment, to South Carolina's detriment, I really do look out for the game. Like, I can remember. And it. I mean, this one probably is going to hurt Aaliyah, and it hurt us at the time, but Kentucky beat us in a tournament, in the SEC tournament.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Oh, I want to talk about that so bad. I want to talk about that so bad, because you have to come out what you did after that. But go ahead.

[Dawn Staley]

Go right. You know, and I'm thinking about Kyra, and I'm thinking about Kentucky, and I'm thinking about women's basketball. Like, it was a great damn game. Like, but it was at our expense that it was a great game that we lost, that we were up double digits in the fourth quarter, the beginning of the fourth quarter, we lose the game. And, you know, I saw the social media post that NBA players were watching the game and they were just. They were locked in and we lost. And I hate losing. Like, and it was another. It's hard to win championships. It's hard to win SEC tournament championships, and we were the favorites and all of that. And I'm. But I'm, you know, I sit back and I was like, damn, that was us when we won our first one. That was good for the game, even though I didn't like it. So I've always been what's good for the game. I do feel like here at South Carolina, I mean, people really care about how you make them feel, and if you can make them feel good, they're going to make you feel better. Like, it's just the. I don't know if it's the Southern comfort way, but we treat people good, and they, in turn, treat us better. And they treat us better by constantly filling our arenas. You know, they go on the road, too. Like, they can't wait for the schedule. They like, when is this? When is the schedule coming? I gotta put my time in, you know, I gotta put my time off in. I gotta budget. Like, it's, you know, that I'm endeared to. That I'm endeared to the people here in South Carolina because it really is. It's not a movement. It's a lifestyle for them. And I wanna make it as easy as possible for them to have access to us and to enjoy, like, feeling like they are. They are a part of us. That's why we. That's why we. We. We give them the nickname of our fams instead of fans. They're like family to us.

[Aaliyah Boston]

But I want to go back to that Kentucky game. Let me just tell you the type of coach that Coach Staley is. Okay? So she's always straight up. That's the first thing about Coach Staley. She's not about to play around. She's no, like, we. We mean business. And another thing that I love is that when Coach Dalia say something, she'll say it in front of everyone. So everyone's on the same page, and no one's missing a beat. So after that Kentucky game, everyone is pissed. They are mad. We come back and Coach Daily, like, we usually watch films, so everybody's sitting down, and Coach Daily just stands up like, there's nothing on the screen. There's nothing on the screen. And she just is like, I just. I just can't believe this, right? She's mad, and she just starts going off one by one of what. Of what we did wrong in that game. And when I tell you, she started with me and went in on every single thing. There was one time I shot a shot, just needed to get it up. I still remember to this day. And she was like, what kind of shot would you take, girl? I was trying to give us a second chance at the rebound. You know, she didn't even. She wasn't even hearing me. But I still remember that moment because, one, I couldn't believe how much she went in on us like she was. And then our practices going into March Madness was insane. I remember after one practice, we couldn't do anything right. The starting group, every mistake we made. Get off the court. Like, next group, come on. Like, we couldn't do nothing right. And I remember after that, I was like, Coach Fred, I was like, I'm, like, in the back. I'm about to, like, break down. I'm like, why is she doing this to us right now? I'm like, we're trying. And she just kept going. And then we won the Natty that year.

[Dawn Staley]

We sure did.

[Candice Barker]

Say it. Say it for the people in the back.

[Aaliyah Boston]

It was just crazy because you, like, it was really pressure. Like, she was not playing around. There was nothing to joke about anymore. Nothing was funny. Nothing was funny.

[Dawn Staley]

But I thought. I thought. I thought the loss was a win for us. We lost that game, it was like the wake up. It was a wake up call for us. And we won because of the loss, because if we would have won the tournament championship, it just. And we had a great group. Like, we had a great team. They worked hard. Like they, they didn't cut corners except that game. But they were a great group. And you. They just needed another. A different type of edge created. They. It's self inflicted, but it created an edge that we needed to go into postseason play. And I, I do credit that loss for us winning. And I would. I would trade SEC tournament championships for national championships any day.

[Candice Barker]

Yeah, a hundred percent. That is a great trade off. I mean, listen, Coach Slayly, personally, I would love. I love hearing Pat stories. That's like my favorite thing in the world. And a lot of what you just said reminds me. In 2007, we lost in the, you know, SEC championship by 20 to LSU. Actually, it was the semifinals. We didn't even get to the finals. It was the semis. We lost to lsu. Sylvia Fowles, they dominated us. We went back and, you know, spring break, there's no rules for timing on practice. So we had two a days and we ran. And it was a similar type of lesson where everything was Parker, everything was Hornbuck, everything was our fault, and we won the championship that year. And so I do think that as much as practice sucks, I think we'd run any amount of line drills if it promised us a new mindset. Going into the NCLA tournament and watching you all bounce back after 2021, that's the thing I've been most impressed about. I think it's the bounce back. Right. For anybody, whether it's the player, whether it's the coach knowing what the players need. Coach Staley, what about Aaliyah after that Devastating loss in 2021 allowed you to coach her up so that she'd be ready for the next moment? Because in 2022, I could not tell you how proud I was of what you all were able to accomplish.

[Dawn Staley]

Aaliyah, wasn't that also the year when UConn, the little. The tipping the same? Right, right. Like we, we. We were at UConn. I was doing the Blizzard, wasn't it? The blizzard.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Yeah. Yeah. And I. And I, because we. It was like close to the end, it was like the game went into overtime, but I had a chance to tip the. Tip the ball and I missed it.

[Dawn Staley]

And then the same thing happened, you know, in, in the Final Four. And, and I know, I know. Aaliyah. Oh, My God. I know Aaliyah, she is so devastated, like to the point of no return. And then you slowly, you give her space. You really give her space because she's, she's beating herself up. Like she, she probably beat herself up the whole summer. But before it got to the summer, I'm just like you. You've had too many. Basketball's been too good to you. You have too many instances where that is just a bleep on the radar. And if you stay in this space, you're not setting yourself up for the come up. But I understand, like, I really understand how devastating it feels how. But I mean, there, there, there's not another person that you want with the ball in their hands in that situation. And it wasn't even that we put the ball in her hands. She got a rebound. She went and got a rebound. It wasn't like she even got the last shot. As far as we set you up. She had such a knack for the game that it would only be her to put us in a position to actually win the game. So I'm taking Aaliyah every single time. Like every single time because she's a winner. And then what does she do? She went and trained with Tim Duncan.

[Candice Barker]

Oh, of course. The island connection.

[Dawn Staley]

Yes. And you're, you're at that point, you're at a crossroad in your career. You have a devastating loss like that. You know, you consider yourself the reason why we lost. Yeah, right. Yeah, right. But you, you do something about it that's going to help you. Like she lost, I don't know, 18, 19 pounds, came back slim. Right. And just put us on her back and willed us to a championship. Like there wasn't going to be any denying us the championship. I don't care who we played against. You could have put a, you know, a stack team together, whatever. We were going to win the national championship in 22, and we were going to do it because of Aaliyah's sacrifice. Like, she sacrificed a lot. And it's not often that you see great players get better. Like, I'm always amazed at great players getting better when the room for them to get better is not very much. But you see it. She's. She's that like she's in her third season. I mean, she's a rebounder, she's a scorer when she gets the ball. But now she's added the element of passing. Like, it's, it's like she gets better every single year. And I really don't think she Gets the credit for her, for her growth. Now, I would say, you know, people. People are giving the most improved the Nas Hillman. And I see. I can understand that. But Aaliyah's gotta be in the conversation, right? Got to be in the conversation. Aaliyah's got to be in the conversation, you know, as mvp. But. But the losing part of it, the. The y'. All. Y' all losing too many games, and Kelsey Mitchell, like, y', all, like, seriously, y' all got incredible talent on your team. And it just so happens that the injury bug hits y' all so hard that it somewhat. It shouldn't. But it's discounting what you're doing individually and it shouldn't. It should be. It should be in conversation, not just on the telecast. I'm talking. When they put together. I want to call all wnba. When they talk about what's happening in the league, it has to come up. I think we have a tendency to just make one person this and make one person that, and it's the favorite, and you got to let this thing play out. You got to let it play out, and you got to see what's happening over the course of an entire season. But Aaliyah needs to be in a lot of more conversations.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Thanks, girl. That was so sweet. That was so sweet. Okay, back to where I started before I got distracted on Kentucky, because I just couldn't let that go. Uncommon favor, coach. Like, reading that book was. It was honestly so amazing. Like, I think just thinking about your life and the short. The stories that you've been able to share and your experiences, Like, I think it's so amazing for people to get to know you. Like, they see you every day, and they're like, oh, my gosh, Coach Staley, like, she's done this for the game. But really getting to know you, I think just makes it all better. When you see you and you're like, dang, this woman is really goaded in all around. Like, what made right now the right time for this book?

[Dawn Staley]

I actually. People have been asking me to write a book for a long time, like, probably 10, 20 years ago. Like, I haven't lived. Like, really write a book. I haven't really lived. But I would say when we won the championship at 22, I went on the Breakfast Club with Charlamagne, and always a great conversation when I go on their show. And he asked me then, like, you should write a book. And he was probably asking me because he's got a publishing company, right? I mean, Greg was great. It was Great timing. So I actually, you know, I was like, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And then I eventually. Cause he was persistent. I gave him a soft yes that I would. That I would write a book. Now, that's three years ago. Like, it was after we won the championship in 2024, like, undefeated in an undefeated way. I'm, like, crazy. Life is great. Like, this is too good that for me to hold on to all these kind of great memories and all the things that really God has provided, like my cup runneth over to the point where I have to release it and. And put it somewhere in book form was the. The best way that I felt. And I. And I actually did commit to it, so I wanted to see that commitment through. But it's scary writing a book. I know you know this, Candace. Cause you don't. You don't know how it's going to be received at all. Like, you don't know if they're gonna like it. And it's you. It's like your story. So I just put my head down and got to it. And it was really an easy process because you're just talking about you and your experiences. But it so resonates with so many other people that. That are in sports and out of sports. And it's an inspiration piece. It's a piece that people can really understand. And it's believable because it's true and it's genuine. It was written out of love, and it's received with that same love.

[Candice Barker]

And in that book, your motto, do what you want to do to get. Do what you don't want to do to get what you want. And it came from a house party. I mean, I have. I have older brothers, so I watched a little house party back in my day. Aaliyah has no idea, trust me, she has no idea what a house party is. How has that line guided. Guided your career?

[Dawn Staley]

I mean, it's really so simple. Like, do I wanna do all the things that I have to do as a coach outside of basketball? Not really. Not really. I love basketball. Like, if I could eat, drink, and think about basketball every second of the day, I'm in my happy place. But, you know, and I'm more comfortable now doing those other things outside of it because it's. It's love. Like the people here in South Carolina, it's. It's nothing now for me to. To go talk to donors. It's nothing for me to go support a community event here. It's nothing. Like, it's part of. It's like second skin to do those things, because I'm ingrained in the community. But I just finished my 17th year. But 15 years ago, 16 years ago, no, I didn't want to do those things. But now I see the effects of doing those things. So if there are any coaches that are tuned in here, like you think the product is the most important thing, and it is to a certain degree. But the product gets better when there are people in the stands. The product gets better when you have the support of the community. The product gets better when the donors believe in you and believe in your hard work. And in order for you to. For them to see, that is you interact with them. You. And here in the south, you can't just go to the grocery store and get a loaf of bread, right? You're gonna have to take selfies. You're gonna have to. They're gonna put a camera in front of your face. Can you. Can you say congratulations to my goddaughter? Like, it's. It's. It's. It's a part of it, but it's a part of it that I love because I appreciate what they. What they've built. Cause I ain't built. I built. I built the product. I helped build the product on the floor. But never in my wildest dreams that I had did I envision an arena full of people. That wasn't part of my game plan. My game plan was the product and solely the product. And the people here in South Carolina have made it like the epicenter of women's basketball. And that's hard to do with so many people, so many great programs in the country. But we've done it the right way, and people are noticing, and it just.

[Candice Barker]

Seems like you always carry with you your past. And I say that in carrying people with you, supporting players that have played for you, and repping Philly, let's just be honest. Everybody, if you don't know, you know, Dawn Staley coaches at South Carolina. She played in the Olympics. You understand all that. But you also know she's from Philly. So what can you say about that Philly mentality? Because I think everybody has a way about them. You know, I played with Kalia Copper, and she's from Philly, and there's this, like, this dog in her that I just am in awe of, and I think it's only developed from growing up there. I'll give Philly a nod now. I can't stand the Eagles, but I'll give Philly the nod.

[Dawn Staley]

Come on.

[Candice Barker]

I'm a Bears fan, and we haven't won since I've been alive, so I'm a little bit of a hater on the Philadelphia Eagles.

[Dawn Staley]

The world champion Eagles.

[Candice Barker]

Oh, goodness.

[Dawn Staley]

That's going to go back to back. That's going to.

[Candice Barker]

I think you all actually.

[Aaliyah Boston]

I knew you were dead wrong.

[Candice Barker]

You actually might be prime. I'm serious. Jalen hurts looks, and it's not even the way he plays football. It's like his mentality going into this year. He does look prime for a repeat. That's all I'm saying. But. Go Bears. But what can you say about Philly and where you come from and your upbringing that made you who you are?

[Dawn Staley]

I would say this. When you grow up in Philly and when you grew up in North Philly, Kai.

[Candice Barker]

But you got to say it, right? It's north, right? North.

[Dawn Staley]

North. North. No, no. Th. North. So when you go up in North Philly, though, it makes you strong. Like, it's. You're innately strong, right? And what you do with that strength, if you do. If you do with it stuff that could help you, you're gonna be great. If you do stuff with it that can help you, you're gonna be great at it, too, but it ain't gonna help you, right? So for me, Philly gives you a certain level of, there isn't anything that I can't do because of where I grew up, because it's hard. Like, it's hard growing up in Philly. So we think growing up in Philly is the hardest. So anything less than that can be achieved and you can be successful. So it's like there isn't anything that we can't do if we put our minds to it. It really is a mindset and mentality. If we want to accomplish this, then it's going to get checked off how we go about doing it. You know, it could vary. Like, we could do it the Philly way, which sometimes you gotta bust through some stuff, or you could do it, you know, probably. Let me. Let me. Let me see what part of the city that I can. That I could pick on. If you're from, like, Mount Airy, you probably do it there.

[Candice Barker]

You calling people out. Listen, I'm from the burbs of Chicagoland, so I fit into that category in Naperville, but I graduated on a court from the city, so come on, now. Chill out.

[Dawn Staley]

So you understand where I'm going with it, right?

[Aaliyah Boston]

You got to say, chill out.

[Candice Barker]

Chill out. But, coach, before Aaliyah gets us into the Unfiltered fan questions. I just have one thing. So I know South Carolina has been great. You're going to be there as long as you want to be there. But there is a WNBA team headed to Philly, so could we possibly, like. Would you ever consider coaching in the wnba?

[Dawn Staley]

No. No, I don't want to coach in the wnba. I could have coached in the WNBA a long time ago. That really isn't my passion. Like, my. My. My true passion is young people, like, preparing young people for the wnba, because I want the WNBA to be around for a long time. So if we could keep feeding the WNBA Aaliyah Bostons, we're going to be in a great place. We're going to be in a great, great place. And I want ownership. Like, I want ownership. I want to own. I don't want to. I don't want to be a coach. Coach is just a part of the process. I want to be in the room helping to make decisions on how you put a product on the floor, how you get into the community, how you get people in the stands. That's the sweat equity that I want, but I want that as an owner.

[Candice Barker]

So would you ever consider. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Aaliyah, I just have to ask.

[Aaliyah Boston]

I knew you were gonna do it.

[Candice Barker]

I knew you were gonna do it.

[Aaliyah Boston]

I knew you were gonna ask. Go ahead.

[Candice Barker]

So would you ever seriously take an NBA job?

[Dawn Staley]

Would I seriously. Like, I interview for the Knicks? I did. It was the same interview that everybody else that was in their candidate pool, same thing went in. I mean, it was, like, hours. But in the interview, I thought I did pretty well. I was well prepared for the interview. Right. If the Knicks would have offered me the job, I would have had to do it. Okay. Not just for me. It's for women. For. Just to break open that. That I would have to. And it's the New York Knicks, and I'm from Philly, but it's the freaking New York Knicks. And I did say that in the interview. Like, it's the. I said the. I said. I actually said it. Y' all don't have to censor. I'm just saying we got creative control over it. We can bleep you out. But I did. I was like, it's freaking New York Knicks. Like, yes. Would I take any NBA job? No. But I will say this. The NBA has to be ready for a female head coach. You can't just interview somebody and say, we're gonna. We're gonna. We're gonna hire. We're gonna hire her? Because here's the thing, because I think I probably lost a job by. By asking this question or I had a series of questions that I asked them. One was for who they were looking for, for why I was in a candidate pool, right. If I was so attractive. I said, has the New York Knicks organization in its history ever had what you're looking for? They wanted a team. They wanted the inclusiveness with management and the coaches, and everybody wanted to feel like a team, a closely knit franchise. And the answer was really no. But if you don't hire anybody different, how are you going to get that? That's one. And then my other question was, how if you hired me as the first female coach in the wnba, how would it impact your daily job? Because it would. It would. Because you're going to be asked questions that you don't have to be asked. If you hire a male coach, there's going to be the media, there's going to be all this stuff that you're going to have to deal with that you, you didn't have to deal with and you don't have to deal with when you, when you, when you hire a male. And then that, that got them to thinking. That really got them to thinking about, shit, maybe she's right. And then I, I felt, I felt the energy change after that. So I shot myself in the foot by being Aaliyah, being inquisitive, asking all those darn questions.

[Aaliyah Boston]

That's okay. I'll always ask a question. You know me. You know me, Coach. Before we let you go, we just have to ask you some unfiltered fan questions. Powered by Uncrustables Find Smuckers Uncrustables in the freezer aisle. Learn [e-mail] so the first question we.

[Dawn Staley]

Have, okay, sponsors, and she reads good.

[Candice Barker]

Look at South Carolina Edumacation.

[Aaliyah Boston]

I am reading now. Okay. I'm a bookworm now. Okay. So what would you say is your favorite true crime show book podcast? Overall, I know you're a true crime.

[Candice Barker]

Are you a crime junkie? Do you listen to crime junkies? Yeah, I'm a crime junkie, too.

[Dawn Staley]

I mean, I fall asleep to Forensic Files.

[Candice Barker]

You fall asleep.

[Aaliyah Boston]

She's crazy.

[Dawn Staley]

Yes. And then I've actually attended, like, a double homicide case here in Columbia. I would love to do more of those, like, in the courtroom, just to fly on the wall. My favorite, though. My favorite. I. I love Dateline. I've been watching Dateline for 30 years. Like, Dateline is Probably my favorite. I. I like it. I like it all. Like, I don't. I don't discriminate. I really don't. But I will say this. If you. If you go live in the courtroom, like, the intensity is thick. It's. I mean, it's. I mean, it was stimulating to me. It was like, oh, my God, I. I can't get enough of this. And then, you know, you hear the verdict, and you see the reaction of the family, you see the reaction of the defendant, you see the judge just kind of, you know, explain the law and why is. Why it was. Had to be this way. I mean, it's the anticipation of the verdict. Like, and then I was talking to the bailiffs, and I was actually sitting outside of the deliberating room where the jurors were deliberating.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Like, how she gets.

[Candice Barker]

Man, that's. That ain't a fly on the wall. Come on, now. That's. I'm Dawn Steely. I got three national championships. I'm about to listen to the deliberation.

[Dawn Staley]

I was air hustling because they were talking loud. They were like. I was just trying to. I mean, it was so much stimulation. So I don't know if I answered your question, and I don't know if I was quick enough, but, child, you got me. You got me going.

[Candice Barker]

So in another. In another life, would you have been some sort of, like, investigator or would that. Would that have been. Or a defense attorney?

[Aaliyah Boston]

Look at. She just wants to listen to.

[Dawn Staley]

No, I. That's an escape for me. Like, I want to just escape from my life. Like, I can get into something that's really interesting to me, that holds my attention. And I. I do think this. Like, I do think, especially cases. Cases are full of, like, team. Team of people who are. It's like a basketball game. You're trying to outfox them. You're trying to bring in new evidence, new moves, like crossover. You try to bring counters to everything that's happening, you know, with the. With the prosecutors and the defense. Teams, like, they work as a cohesive unit. They're pitted against each other. And I just like the whole dynamic of seeing all of that come about, and there's somebody that's going to be a winner and somebody's going to be a loser.

[Candice Barker]

All right, Most memorable moment from your career as a player or a coach. I mean, Aaliyah's sitting here, so make sure that you include.

[Aaliyah Boston]

I mean, there's only, like, forward.

[Candice Barker]

She leaned forward.

[Dawn Staley]

Aliyah. Aliyah. Aliyah. That 20. 24 team surprised me.

[Aaliyah Boston]

I know. Whatever. Yay. Undefeated. Yay. Happy for y'.

[Dawn Staley]

All. I mean, to go undefeated in this day and age.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Yeah, that was crazy.

[Dawn Staley]

Like, Like. And then we lose. We lose the freshies. We lose the. We lose the. The best class in the history of our program. We lose them, and then we lose some top contributors. And then we come back with that team and they went like. It was the unlikeliest group. Like, the unlike.

[Candice Barker]

But that 2017 first championship. Come on, coach. That first one.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Candace.

[Candice Barker]

Hey, I'm just saying, I'm not trying to, like, change your favorite, because undefeated. That was unbelievable what y' all did.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Undefeated.

[Candice Barker]

I was present.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Undefeated is great.

[Candice Barker]

That first one, that.

[Dawn Staley]

That first one was kind of expected.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Oh, my gosh.

[Dawn Staley]

The second one was expected. Like, I knew we were going to win the 22. I knew we were going to win. After what we've been through, I ain't think we were going to win another one. That's it.

[Candice Barker]

But I'mma tell you, Dawn's daycare was like, hold up. 20, 24?

[Aaliyah Boston]

Yeah, dawns daycare. They turned up. They turned up.

[Dawn Staley]

Hey, I got to give your mom a shout out. Aaliyah, Miss Boston is a praying woman. If you want something done, you give it to Miss Boston. Seriously, I never thought I was gonna coach another player like Aaliyah. She was like, yes, you are. She was like, I'm praying on it. Yes, you are. Believe in it. Right? So now that we talk about Miss Boston. Miss Boston, I know you're gonna watch this. Miss Boston, I need some heavy hitting recruits, right? I need some heavy hitting recruits that a said person on this podcast has some influence. I need God to step in and I need your.

[Candice Barker]

All I know is three stripes. That's all I'm saying. Three stripes got nil. So that's all I'm saying, you know? And Duncan, you know what I mean? We like our players to, you know, hang on the rim a little bit. Just hint, hint when. Wait.

[Aaliyah Boston]

All right, Coach, one more for you. What would be your Mount Rushmore affiliate athletes?

[Dawn Staley]

Oh, God. That's only four, though, right? Four. Dr. J. Oh, right.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Yeah.

[Candice Barker]

Yes.

[Dawn Staley]

I'm putting Jalen on there. I don't care. Jalen hurts. I'm putting him on there. I know he's young.

[Candice Barker]

She riding the championship wave. She only throwing popcorn at the TV this year, all season. I was kidding.

[Dawn Staley]

I'm going with AI.

[Candice Barker]

Oh, yeah.

[Dawn Staley]

Shoot.

[Candice Barker]

I mean, you gotta put yourself on there.

[Aaliyah Boston]

I know. Like, put your, like.

[Dawn Staley]

No, no, no, no. And I'm probably gonna have to go with Michael J. Schmidt, Phillies third baseman. I gotta give it up. Old school. I'm going old school.

[Candice Barker]

Yeah, you went way back.

[Dawn Staley]

I did, I did.

[Candice Barker]

I love that, though. Shout out to third base. Coach, seriously, this has been so much fun. We could talk to you for hours, but Aaliyah has a. Has a job, so she's got a meeting job, and you got a meeting, and I got kids, so guys, enjoy.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Thank you.

[Candice Barker]

Thank you, coach, so much. I really appreciate you.

[Dawn Staley]

All right, y'. All.

[Aaliyah Boston]

When I was ready to buy my first home, I really didn't know where to start. But from the moment I connected with Zillow, the process was honestly easier than I expected.

[Candice Barker]

Wait, you bought a house? Okay, homeowner. Look at you, AB Big moves, post moves. But for real, buying a home is a big deal. You need someone you can trust. And Zillow helps with all of that.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Yeah, and they connected me with my girl Amy, my Zillow partner agent. And she was awesome. From the first conversation, she really just listened. She asked me about everything. How many bedrooms I wanted, Square footage, style, interior, vibe, all of it. So when it was time to start touring homes, she already had a list that just felt like me.

[Candice Barker]

That's a game changer. So she really helped you narrow it down, huh?

[Aaliyah Boston]

Yeah, I probably toured, like, over 10 houses in, like, three to four days. I didn't really love the first few, but Amy said she just wanted to get a feel for what I liked and what I didn't like. And then, boom, the next days were spot on. I had options. She answered all my questions, made the whole thing so much easier. Honestly, anytime I buy a home again, I. I know who I'm calling. My girl, Amy.

[Candice Barker]

Whether you're buying your first place or already know the ropes, Zillow makes the process way easier.

[Aaliyah Boston]

They help me get a home, and they can help you too. Just say the word.

[Candice Barker]

Download the Zillow app today. Home just got real with Zillow. It's now time for you Got this. Presented by Adidas. There's nothing like a great assist to help us remember you got this. Learn more about the youe got this [e-mail] yougot this and follow the action on Instagram, Adidas and Adidasus. Every week, we're going to shout out someone who showed up, rose to the occasion, or made their moment count. Whether it's a player, a coach, or even something we saw online, if it inspired us, it's getting a shout out this week. My you got this moment goes to none other Venus Williams. Ooh, guess what? Venus is back at the US Open to play a Grand Slam singles match for the first time in two years. Takes on 11th ranked Karolina Muchova on Monday night. This is going to be after we film this at Arthur Ashe Stadium. And this will be her 25th appearance in the US Open, doing so at the tender young age of 45 years old. You weren't even born.

[Aaliyah Boston]

You're right, I was. I probably wasn't thought of.

[Candice Barker]

You were not a thought, I can tell you that. Not a thought at all. Not even half. Like, you know how you're 23 and a half. It still doesn't. That half doesn't matter.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Round up.

[Candice Barker]

Nope. Can't even round up. She won the US Open in 2001 again in 2001. She and her sister have changed the game. And I think that it speaks to what type of athlete Venus Williams is, as well as her sister, Serena Williams. It speaks to going into spaces that people don't necessarily look like you. And now because of you, more people having the opportunity to play tennis. I don't know if there's a Coco Golf or a Sloane Stevens without the Williams sisters and to do so at this age. And, you know, Venus has been, you know, very honest about some of the reasons why she's continuing to play. And a lot of it has to do with healthcare, which is a bigger topic and a bigger discussion. And I just feel like the. The Williams sisters have broke so many barriers and opened up so many doors for all of us, and they're continuing to just amaze us with their skill set. I mean, there's a difference in playing tennis as an old person versus other old people.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Yeah. Versus playing against someone that's like.

[Candice Barker]

Exactly. But when you start entering into playing tennis against younger people, then it becomes not an old man or old woman's game. And so it's just incredible goodness. So. Shout out to Venus Williams.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Shout out to Venus Williams.

[Candice Barker]

I hope you get that dub. So. All right, that's my. You got this moment presented by Adidas Aaliyah. Your next up next week.

[Aaliyah Boston]

All right, and that's a wrap on this week's episode. Post moves. Shout out to my girl. Coach Staley first. We loved having you on. Thank you for sharing those stories. Kind of telling people I'm a little crash out, but I hope everyone got to know a little bit more about you and your skills.

[Candice Barker]

Let's not forget your dancing. We need the evolution.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Did you hear how she said I improved.

[Candice Barker]

Yeah, but we still need an evolution.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Whatever. And don't forget, new episodes drop every Wednesday. Subscribe on YouTube or wherever you get your podcast. And those reviews, five stars only.

[Candice Barker]

Am I doing Bow, Bow, Bow.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Yes.

[Candice Barker]

This week.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Yes. Bow, Bow, Bow.

[Candice Barker]

All right, Post ups. That's what we're calling them. We're calling them post ups.

[Aaliyah Boston]

Post ups.

[Candice Barker]

That's our crew that follows our show.