“Coach Staley is like a second mom to me,” Aliyah Boston once said, and it’s not just a quote. It’s a truth she carries with her every time she steps on the court. It was at South Carolina, under Dawn Staley’s watchful eye, that Boston found her voice. As a freshman, she wasn’t just taught how to play; she was taught how to lead. Now, at just 23, Boston has blossomed into one of the brightest young stars in the WNBA. As a powerhouse forward for the Indiana Fever, she’s commanding the league. But no matter how high she climbs, when she looks back, there’s always one person cheering the loudest – her ‘second mom.’ 

We know that it’s been an inconsistent start for the Indiana Fever, but one thing has stayed steady: Boston’s brilliance. The third-year forward is averaging a career-high 15.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, while leading the entire league in field goal percentage at 59.7%. And when the moment demands it, she delivers. That was on full display when the Fever stunned the Minnesota Lynx, 74-59, in the Commissioner’s Cup Final without Caitlin Clark on the floor. It was a collective win, no doubt, but Boston made her presence felt on both ends: 12 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block in a game that turned doubters into believers.

While the arena leaned heavily in favor of the Lynx crowd, Boston had her biggest cheerleader watching from afar. On the other side of the screen, Coach Staley was dancing in celebration, hosting a watch party with her Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. Aaron Woliczko, Senior Associate Commissioner for Men’s Basketball and Sport Administration, shared a video of Staley vibing and dancing as Fever sealed the win. “Get you a hype person like Coach @dawnstaley!” he wrote. 

And how could she not celebrate? One of her brightest mentees, Aliyah Boston, had proved herself again. A Gamecock through and through, Boston spent four unforgettable years with South Carolina, leading them to a national championship in 2022 before going No. 1 overall in the 2023 WNBA Draft. But credit where it’s due – Dawn Staley’s impact goes beyond developing elite talent. It’s in the way she fiercely advocates for them even long after they leave campus.

This season, she must be the happiest as nine former Gamecocks were WNBA starters to open the year, and now, three of them – A’ja Wilson, Allisha Gray, and Aliyah Boston – have been named 2025 WNBA All-Star starters. Not long after the news, the head coach took to X to share her joy, “How many @GamecockWBB can you count?!! Congrats @aa_boston @Graytness_15 @_ajawilson22 on being @WNBA All-Star AND legit @WNBA MVP candidates. No debating just stating FACTS!”

Also, just a day before, she was courtside in California, watching Laeticia Amihere and Bree Hall (Valkyries) take on Zia Cooke (Storm), all former Gamecocks. It’s simply who she is – loyal, passionate, and always showing up for women’s basketball. But with her deep basketball mind and presence, one question is floating around these days….

Is Coach Staley trading it all in for the bright lights of the NBA?

Dawn Staley won’t be making the NBA jump?

Over the weekend, rumors swirled that South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley was being considered for a major new role: head coach of the New York Knicks. Following the surprising dismissal of Tom Thibodeau after an Eastern Conference Finals run, the Knicks reportedly reached out to Staley as a potential replacement.

Even South Carolina Athletics Director Jeremiah Donati confirmed that contact had indeed been made. And while this isn’t the first time Staley’s name has come up in NBA circles – she previously interviewed with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2021 and has been linked to the Wizards and 76ers – it raised fresh questions about whether the legendary coach would finally make the historic jump.

Fueling the speculation was a clause in her USC contract that waives her buyout if she accepts an NBA or WNBA job. Combine that with her national profile, deep basketball IQ, and vocal presence in the sport, and it’s easy to see why the Knicks were intrigued. But the rumors can officially be put to rest…for now. Despite making a strong impression during conversations with the Knicks, Staley is not a finalist for the position. The team is reportedly leaning toward veteran NBA coaches Mike Brown and Taylor Jenkins.

And truthfully, Staley herself has said previously that she has no interest in coaching men, embracing her role in growing women’s basketball. Also, money was never going to be the issue. In January, Staley signed a five-year, $25.25 million extension with South Carolina, making her the highest-paid coach in women’s basketball history. Most NBA coaching salaries hover just slightly above it.

So while the move would’ve been groundbreaking, it doesn’t look like it’s happening just yet. Staley, for now, remains exactly where she’s built her empire.