South Carolina coach Dawn Staley has watched Kim Mulkey’s LSU program dominate much of the buzz as college women’s basketball continues to see significant growth, but that doesn’t mean she’s jealous about what Angel Reese and company have done in Baton Rouge.
Staley led South Carolina to national titles in 2017 and 2022, and her program has been on the verge of taking over UConn’s prior role as the dominant force in the sport.
The Gamecocks, who are No. 1 in the nation with a record of 17-0, had their undefeated run of 42 consecutive games end in the Final Four last season after being upset 77-73 by Iowa.
Instead, Mulkey’s LSU squad held the trophy high in Dallas after taking down the Hawkeyes in a game watched by millions of people.
Following the championship win, Reese has become somewhat of a pop star through endorsement deals, commercials, music videos and an appearance in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.
On Wednesday, Staley told WACH-TV in Columbia, South Carolina, what she thinks of Reese taking on a new level of stardom.
LSU forward Angel Reese (10) runs onto the court during the pregame introductions before the game against Arkansas on Sunday, January 21, 2024 at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
“I think Angel has brought more eyeballs on our sport with her play, with her personality,” Staley said. “I think sometimes you have to put yourself out there in order for us to advance our game, and Angel has done a great job of it.”
Dawn Staley on the impact Angel Reese has had on the women's game in the last year:
"I think Angel's brought more eyeballs on our sport… I think sometimes you have to put yourself out there in order for us to advance our game & Angel's done a great job with it."@GamecockWBB pic.twitter.com/K1jidvT01p
— Matt Dowell (@MattDowellTV) January 24, 2024
LSU and South Carolina play at 7 p.m. on Thursday in a game that will be shown in a nationwide broadcast on ESPN.
