Undefeated. Undisputed. Uncommon favor.
The Gamecocks had posted back-to-back again undefeated seasons heading into the well-predicted countrywide championship matchup from Iowa. Led by Dawn Staley, their enthusiasm, travel, and inspiration experienced been evident all year—their dominant roster consists of standout freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley, and WNBA draft Kamilla Cardoso to title a couple of. As for their head coach, well, her resume speaks for by itself: four-time Naismith Coach of the 12 months and, up until finally this stage, experienced led the Gamecocks to two ‘chips.
The showdown involving Iowa and South Carolina lived up to the buzz. In the conclude, South Carolina proved, but yet again, why they are the best of the greatest. They in the end defeated the Hawkeyes, 87-75.
We haven’t stopped wondering about how legendary that championship recreation was. In this article, we relive the large-time blocks, standout performances, Dawn’s epic speech and extra.
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Pregame: Aliyah Boston, WNBA ROY and Broadcaster
Aaliyah Boston, who led the Gamecocks to a nationwide championship back again in 2022 and is now a star on the Indiana Fever, has expanded her off-courtroom ventures into broadcasting. For the Closing Four, she joined the on-air studio crew and was also a sideline reporter during the national championship match.
Regardless of whether she was sharing her expertise and expertise of the sport or interviewing her previous college or university mentor, Boston was a star throughout the overall broadcast. Our favored part? This incredibly unique moment she shared with Staley, just minutes immediately after South Carolina received the title.
Huge Strength on the Boards
The Gamecocks have been straight up dominant in the paint versus Iowa. Cardoso racked up 17 rebounds and forward Chloe Kitts adopted ideal behind her with 10 boards.
…From Threeeeee!
The “fearless” freshman Tessa Johnson was cooking all evening long—hitting shots from deep, creating mad layups in the paint and putting on a 19-point general performance coming off the bench. Then there were being standouts Te-Hina Paopao and Raven Johnson, who strike clutch shots for the Gamecocks.
The Artistry of MiLaysia
She’s only a freshman, but MiLaysia Fulwiley has revealed all season, and specially in the match, that she’s a star in the earning. Fulwiley showed up on equally ends of the floor—from nuts dimes to steals and building plays. We can’t wait around to see her game only to continue on to evolve.
You can study more about MiLaysia in our new player spotlight:
The Brilliance of Dawn Staley
The GOAT. This 3rd championship title has only keep on to solidify what we’ve usually recognized: she’s the best. Period of time.
“…My freshies are at the best of my heart because they preferred this. And I hope we can erase regardless of what agony they had very last year, suffering from not being able to finish it here. So I’m just tremendous proud the place I get the job done,” Staley claimed per GMA.
As we’ve outlined just before in her SLAM include, she is a university basketball author of evolution. Her legacy will past forever.
Highlighted picture by means of Getty Pictures.
The write-up The Greatness of Dawn Staley Proceeds: Prospects South Carolina to their 3rd Nationwide Title appeared to start with on SLAM.