Dawn Staley’s bracelet collection keeps growing. There’s a story behind each one
The predictions weren’t even close.
“Ten to 12,” said senior guard Te-Hina Paopao.
“Six or seven,” guessed sophomore MiLaysia Fulwiley.
“Thirty-six,” added senior Bree Hall
“Like 15,” thought senior Sakima Walker.
Junior Maryam Dauda agreed: “Fifteen,” she said.
So what’s the answer? How many different bands, bangles, wristlets, friendship bracelets, etc., does South Carolina coach Dawn Staley wear on her right wrist?
Sitting at a podium inside Colonial Life Arena during the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament, Staley lifted up her arm to show a rainbow covering her entire wrist.
And there was no need to count because, Staley said, senior Sania Feagin had already done the leg work.
“I think I’m up to 28,” Staley said. “Doesn’t look like 28.”
Apparently not, given that a majority of her players — save for Hall — were all off by more than a dozen. But if it doesn’t seem like 28, it still looks 10 times the amount even the biggest jewelry lover would wear.
Forget the fashion. There’s a level of dedication to every day take off and put on that many different items — and then have the self-control to not get bothered by over two dozen bracelets moving and clacking with every step.
“I would be fidgeting with (the bracelets),” Dauda said.
“I’ve worn a few before,” added Walker. “But I don’t have as many.”
“She’s probably already used to it,” said Paopao.
The origin story behind the bracelets is that there are a million stories. Each, Staley said, has been gifted to her. Of the 28 items, there are a couple of bands supporting causes. There are numerous Taylor-Swift-esque friendship bracelets with her name on it. And there are others that add color, where a child or a fan took the time to thread beads onto a thin piece of string with the Gamecocks’ head coach in mind.
Then they give it to Staley and, well, what’s she supposed to do? Not wear it? C’mon.
Staley has built the best basketball program of the past decade through genuineness. Winning alone does not account for the Gamecocks leading all women’s basketball teams in attendance … for 10 straight seasons. It is in the program’s DNA, starting with the bond between team and fans — a connection so strong that they’re not even referred to as fans.
And, as such, think of it like this: If your child gave you jewelry, you’d wear it. Or at least Staley would.
“When young people give me the bracelets I just immediately put them on,” she said Saturday. “People customize it for me and I figure I will wear them until they break.”
It’s also why Staley wears the same necklaces every day. Each — there were four, as of Friday’s game — serves as a reminder of someone or something.
The most recent addition came as a gift from the rapper Plies, who has become an outspoken supporter of Staley and her program, even traveling to Columbia for a number of games of the past few seasons. That necklace features a replica of the NCAA Tournament trophy encrusted with diamonds.
One is for a young girl named Blakely, who was going through cancer treatment at UVA Children’s Hospital when Staley met her, followed her color scheme and crafted a necklace. Later, in a surprise on ESPN, Blakely made another necklace for Staley, which she also wears every day.
“We’re preparing for a second-round game,” Staley said Saturday, “but she’s probably preparing for a second surgery or a 22nd treatment.”
The fourth necklace is from a young man battling sickle cell disease. whom Staley met at a local children’s hospital.
“I had a cousin that passed from sickle cell,” Staley said Saturday. “So it gives me perspective on what we’re doing, where we are. And really for us, although we think it’s our world, our passion, what we do, it really is just basketball. When you put it in perspective of what other people have to go through.”
South Carolina’s NCAA Sweet 16 game
- Who: South Carolina vs. Maryland
- When: 5 p.m. Friday
- TV: ESPN
- Stream: ESPN app
This story was originally published March 25, 2025 at 8:30 AM.
