COLUMBIA — While celebrating A’ja Wilson, South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley appeared to subtly criticize UConn coach Geno Auriemma.
After UConn’s national championship victory over South Carolina on April 6, Auriemma made a pointed comment during a celebratory event in Connecticut. “At most places, winning one national championship gets you a statue,” he said. “Here, they won’t even let you sit at the front of the bus.” Many interpreted that as a veiled shot at Wilson, though he didn’t name her directly. Wilson, who starred at South Carolina from 2014 to 2018 and led the team to its first NCAA title in 2017, has had a statue outside Colonial Life Arena since 2021.
Neither Staley nor Wilson publicly responded to Auriemma’s remarks until April 30, when Staley was honored with a statue of her own. In her speech, she opened by speaking about Wilson. “Honestly, I wanted hers to be the only statue,” Staley said. “Contrary to what one coaching colleague believes, her statue wasn’t about winning a title it honored her excellence in life. It’s a tribute to a local hero and a symbol of what young people in Columbia can achieve with drive and preparation.”
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Her remarks drew enthusiastic applause from the crowd of nearly 300. Wilson’s parents, Roscoe and Eva, were present for the event, still residing in Columbia where Wilson grew up.
Wilson, now a star with the Las Vegas Aces and gearing up for the WNBA season, couldn’t attend. “I wish I could be there, but she’d be mad if I skipped training camp,” Wilson told Aces reporter Callie Fin. “She deserves it. It shows who she is and everything she’s done for Columbia, for South Carolina, for women’s basketball. I hope it looks amazing it will, if she had anything to do with it. I’m proud to stand with her.”
Wilson, a three-time WNBA MVP and two-time champion, continues to build her legacy. Meanwhile, Staley, who remains the only coach to beat Auriemma in a national title game (2022), fell just short of her fourth NCAA crown, while Auriemma secured his 12th.
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