Dawn Staley's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Dawn Staley.

Dawn Staley is an accomplished American basketball coach and former player. She coaches the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team. As a player, she starred as a point guard for the Virginia Cavaliers and in the WNBA, primarily with the Charlotte Sting. Staley secured three Olympic gold medals playing for the United States women's national basketball team (1996-2004) and coached the team to Olympic gold in 2021. Notably, she is the only individual to win the Naismith Award as both a player and a coach, marking her exceptional achievements in basketball.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1983: USA Basketball Won Gold

In 1983, the American team won gold in the World University Games.

1985: USA Basketball Won Silver

In 1985, the American team finished with the silver in the World University Games.

1987: USA Basketball Finished Fifth

In 1987, the American team finished with the silver in the World University Games.

July 1991: World University Games Gold Medal

In July 1991, Dawn Staley represented the United States at the World University Games held in Sheffield, England, and won a gold medal, averaging 4.9 points per game.

1991: ACC Female Athlete of the Year

In 1991, Dawn Staley was named the ACC female athlete of the year while attending the University of Virginia.

1992: College Career Ends and NCAA Record

In 1992, Dawn Staley concluded her college basketball career at Virginia, setting the NCAA record for steals, a school record for points, and an ACC record for assists.

1992: National Player of the Year

In 1992, Dawn Staley was named the national player of the year while attending the University of Virginia.

1992: Jones Cup Gold Medal

In 1992, Dawn Staley won a Gold medal with the USA Basketball as a member of the Jones Cup Team in Taipei.

1994: World Championships and Athlete of the Year

In 1994, Dawn Staley competed in the World Championships and was named the USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year.

1996: Atlanta Summer Olympics Gold Medal

In 1996, Dawn Staley led the USA team to an undefeated record of 8-0 and won the gold medal at the Atlanta Summer Olympics.

1996: Olympic Gold Medal

In 1996, Dawn Staley won a gold medal at the Olympic Games as part of the United States women's national basketball team.

August 1998: FIBA World Championships Gold Medal

In August 1998, Dawn Staley and the United States national team won the gold medal at the FIBA World Championships in Berlin, Germany. Staley averaged 7.0 points per game and made a record 52 assists. She sealed the victory by hitting two free throws with ten seconds left.

2000: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2000, Dawn Staley was a member of the Olympic team that defended the gold medal.

2001: WNBA All-Star Selection

In 2001, Dawn Staley received her first of six consecutive WNBA All-Star selections as a member of the Charlotte Sting.

2002: World Championships Gold Medal

In 2002, Dawn Staley was part of the national team that won the gold at the World Championships in China, scoring 4.9 points per game and recording 24 assists.

2004: Third Olympic Gold Medal

In 2004, Dawn Staley won her third gold medal at the Olympic Games as part of the United States women's national basketball team.

2004: Third Olympic Gold Medal and Flag Bearer

In 2004, Dawn Staley won her third gold medal with Team USA at the Athens Olympics and was named the 2004 USA Basketball Female Athlete Of The Year. She was also selected to carry the flag of the United States at the opening ceremony.

2007: Staley Coaches Team USA to Gold at Pan Am Games

In 2007, Dawn Staley coached Team USA to a gold medal at the Pan Am games.

2008: Staley Wins Olympic Gold as Assistant Coach

During the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, Dawn Staley served as an assistant coach under Anne Donovan and helped Team USA win their fourth consecutive gold medal in women's basketball.

2011: Top 15 Players in WNBA History

In 2011, Dawn Staley was voted by fans as one of the top 15 players in the 15-year history of the WNBA.

2012: Induction into Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

In 2012, Dawn Staley was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.

2013: Induction into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

In 2013, Dawn Staley was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

2014: Staley Coaches U17 Team

In 2014, Dawn Staley served as the head coach for the U17 Team, winning a gold medal at the U18 Americas Championship.

2015: Staley Coaches U19 Team to Gold

In 2015, Dawn Staley coached the U19 Team, winning a gold medal at the U19 FIBA World Championship, leading to her being awarded the USA Basketball National Coach of the Year award.

2016: Staley Wins Olympic Gold as Assistant Coach

In 2016, Dawn Staley served as an assistant coach under Geno Auriemma for the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, helping the Americans win their sixth straight gold medal in women's basketball.

2017: First NCAA National Championship

In 2017, Dawn Staley led South Carolina to its first NCAA women's basketball national championship.

2017: First National Title

In 2017, Dawn Staley led South Carolina to its first national title, becoming the second African American to lead a women's basketball team to a national championship.

2018: Staley Coaches Team USA to Gold in World Cup

In 2018, Dawn Staley coached Team USA to a gold medal in the World Cup in Spain.

2019: Staley Coaches Team USA to Gold in FIBA AmeriCup

In 2019, Dawn Staley coached Team USA to a gold medal in the FIBA AmeriCup.

2020: Staley Wins Gold at Summer Olympics as Head Coach

At the 2020 Summer Olympics, Dawn Staley secured her first gold medal as the Head coach of Team USA, achieving a 45-0 record.

2020: Unanimous National Coach of the Year

In 2020, Dawn Staley led the Gamecocks to a 32–1 season, winning another SEC regular season and tournament championship. She swept the national coach of the year awards and became the first person to win the Naismith award as a player and a coach.

2021: Staley Coaches Team USA to Gold in FIBA AmeriCup

In 2021, Dawn Staley coached Team USA to a gold medal in the FIBA AmeriCup.

2021: Olympic Gold Medal as Head Coach

In 2021, Dawn Staley was the head coach of the United States women's national basketball team that won an Olympic gold medal.

2022: Gamecocks Win National Championship

In 2022, Dawn Staley's Gamecocks, ranked #1 all season, defeated 14 ranked teams and won the NCAA tournament, securing their second national championship by defeating UConn. Staley became the first coach to defeat Geno Auriemma, Tara VanDerveer, and Kim Mulkey in the same season. Aliyah Boston was named National Player of the Year, and Staley won the Naismith Award.

February 22, 2024: Staley Wins 600th Game

On February 22, 2024, Dawn Staley achieved her 600th career win in 786 games, with 534 of those wins at South Carolina.

2024: Staley's Team Achieves Perfect Season and Wins National Title

In 2024, Dawn Staley guided her team to a perfect 38-0 season, securing their third national title. Staley also received her fourth Naismith Coach of the Year Award.