COLUMBIA, S.C. (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Dawn Staley is one of the greatest athletes to ever attend the University of Virginia and arguably one of the best women’s basketball players ever in the sport.  The Philadelphia native took the Cavalier Women’s Basketball team to three final fours in her tenure and helped lift the Virginia Women’s Basketball program to national prominence.  Following her career at UVA she was a successful professional in both the WNBA and as a multi-time Olympic Gold Medalist.  However, her biggest accomplishments many would argue have been as a coach, as she has led the University of South Carolina Women’s Basketball team to five final fours and three national championships.  Now, the city of Columbia has decided to honor Dawn Staley with a statue that will be revealed on Wednesday April 30th in a ceremony that will be attended by many including her collegiate coach, Debbie Ryan.   Coach Ryan had this to say in regard to the accomplishment: “I always knew that Dawn was a special talent in both basketball and life! She has far surpassed the expectations of many but not mine. The statue is a testament to her as a person and a leader of people regardless of race, color or  socioeconomic status. The statue represents a little girl from Philadelphia who was brave enough to fight the odds and win against them all.”

See the full release from South Carolina below:

COLUMBIA, SC – The City of Columbia, in partnership with the Statues for Equality and generous community partners, is proud to unveil a statue honoring the legendary Dawn Staley, an icon whose impact reaches far beyond the basketball court. This tribute celebrates not only her championship legacy as a coach and player, but also her unwavering commitment to leadership, community empowerment, and uplifting future generations. Dawn Staley’s influence continues to inspire both on and off the court, and this statue stands as a lasting symbol of excellence, resilience, and pride for Columbia and the entire state of South Carolina.

The statue will be unveiled on Wednesday, April 30 at 4:00 p.m. at the intersection of Senate St. and Lincoln St. (900 Senate St, Columbia, SC 29201), located right next to the University of South Carolina Pastides Alumni Center.