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ESPN surprises Dawn Staley with reunion with Blakely Thompson before Elite Eight

Barkley-Truaxby:Barkley Truax•03/29/25•

BarkleyTruax

Dawn Staley
March 9, 2025; Greenville, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley cuts the net down after the win over Texas in the SEC women’s championship at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Before South Carolina takes on Duke in the Elite Eight on Sunday, Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley was given an extra boost of confidence when she was surprised by a very special person. During an interview segment on ESPN, Blakely Thompson, the young girl who made the necklace that Staley has worn all season, joined Staley alongside her mother to wish the Gamecocks luck before the big game.

Staley immediately cracked a smile as she realized who was on the video call with her. “Hi, Blakely, beautiful Blakely,” Staley called out.

Blakely Thompson is a 7-year-old girl who has been battling lukemia, which is how Staley and the Thompson family met. Through he partnership with Aflac, Staley has been able to go to places like the UVA Children’s Hospital, among other places to meet these children and hear their inspirational stories.

“We hope you’re doing well, and please keep that permanent smile on your face!” Staley told Blakely.

Her mother was also in the video call with Blakely. She updated the status of her daughter to Staley and the ESPN audience: “Blakely is doing really well,” she said. “Hopefully we only have three more of treatment, and she’ll be ringing that bell.”

Staley met Blakely for the first time during her trips to the UVA Children’s Hospital, where Staley revealed that Aflac organized a treasure hunt and at the end, the children were rewarded these special ducks from Aflac — which Blakely had with her in Saturday’s interview.

After they were presented with these ducks, the children and parents would go and make necklaces for their ducks to wear. This led to Blakely making the necklace Staley has word all season long.

“It gives me perspective,” Staley said last year. “I mean, what we do is coach this game or play this game, when so many other people are going through much deeper things than us, and they have a much better outlook on it. Blakely, you would have never known what she was going through.

“But I know what she’s going through, what her family is going through, and I just feel forever indebted that they allowed me a small part of their life, which changed my life. I’m going to wear this until the beads fall off.”

awWith Blakely in mind, the Gamecocks will take on the Blue Devils on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. ET and will air live on ABC. The winner earns a spot in the Final Four.