Dawn Staley tackles question on aspirations to coach in the NBA, WNBA

Dawn Staley has turned South Carolina into a powerhouse, but could she make the jump to the NBA or the WNBA?

After a championship season with the Gamecocks, her potential at the next level has become a hot-button topic. However, the South Carolina leader revealed she doesn’t have much interest in moving on from the college game in an appearance on ESPN’s Jalen and Jacoby.

“I’ve been asked that question,” began Staley. “There isn’t an ounce of me that has the desire to go to the next level. I think my passion is for young people. I guess that both leagues are getting younger and younger and younger, but my passion is to make sure that our league is in a good place. Like, the WNBA needs great, young people to keep it going.

“If that itch comes to coach on the next level — I’m getting older, so if it hasn’t come yet, I don’t think it’s going to come.”

It’s easy to see why experts have thrown Staley’s name in the hat for coaching jobs. Last season, South Carolina was the No. 1 team in the country from the beginning of the season to the end, as the Gamecocks made their fourth Final Four appearance in the last eight seasons. Additionally, they won their second National Championship under Staley, defeating Geno Auriemma’s 11-time national champion UConn Huskies 64-49 in the title game.

During the NBA playoffs, analysts began to campaign for Staley — a Philadelphia native — to replace the incumbent Doc Rivers after another disappointing playoff run.

Staley’s impressive credentials and impeccable resume lend credence to the claims, as the Gamecocks coach now boasts two NCAA national championships, three Olympic gold medals (two as a player, one as coach), six-time WNBA All-Star, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee. While Staley is an interesting name to consider for NBA and WNBA jobs, it takes two to tango.

Nevertheless, the opportunity should present itself if Dawn Staley decides the itch is there. Until then, the South Carolina leader will keep dominating the college basketball world, and that’s enough for Gamecocks faithful everywhere.