Dawn Staley Siblings: A Look at the Basketball Coach’s Family Tree

Dawn Staley is a towering figure in the world of basketball, known for her remarkable achievements as both a player and a coach.

Raised in the Raymond Rosen housing projects of North Philadelphia, Dawn was the youngest of five children in a family that valued education, discipline, and hard work.

Her parents, originally from South Carolina, instilled resilience and determination in their children, qualities that would later define Dawn’s basketball career.

From an early age, she honed her skills on the neighborhood courts, laying the foundation for a legendary path in women’s basketball.

Siblings

Dawn has four siblings, namely Tracey, Lawrence, Anthony and Eric.

In 2020, Tracey faced a serious health challenge when she was diagnosed with leukemia.

Dawn openly shared her sister’s battle, highlighting the family’s unity during this difficult time.

Tracey underwent a bone marrow transplant, with Dawn’s oldest brother serving as a perfect match donor.

Dawn has often spoken of Tracey’s strength, noting that she never complained despite the grueling treatments.

Career

Staley began making waves at Murrell Dobbins Vocational High School in Philadelphia, where she was named the national high school player of the year in 1988.

Her skills earned her a scholarship to the University of Virginia, where she excelled as a point guard from 1988 to 1992.

At UVA, she led the Cavaliers to four NCAA Tournaments, three Final Fours, and one national championship game, setting school records for points (2,135) and steals (454, an NCAA record at the time).

After college, Staley embarked on a professional playing career that spanned multiple leagues and countries.

She played overseas in France, Italy, Brazil, and Spain before joining the American Basketball League (ABL) with the Richmond Rage in 1996.

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When the ABL folded, she transitioned to the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), where she was drafted ninth overall by the Charlotte Sting in 1999.

Over eight WNBA seasons with the Sting and Houston Comets, she became a six-time All-Star and led her teams to the playoffs multiple times.

Internationally, Staley represented the United States with distinction, winning three Olympic gold medals as a player (1996, 2000, 2004) and carrying the U.S. flag at the 2004 Athens Olympics opening ceremony.

After retiring as a player in 2006, she transitioned into coaching, beginning with Temple University in 2000.

In 2008, she took the helm at the University of South Carolina, transforming the Gamecocks into a powerhouse.

Under her leadership, South Carolina has won three NCAA Championships (2017, 2022, 2024), eight SEC regular-season titles, and eight SEC Tournament titles.

Accolades

As a player, Staley won three Olympic gold medals (1996, 2000, 2004), was a six-time WNBA All-Star (2001–2006), received the Naismith College Player of the Year award twice (1991, 1992), and was a three-time Kodak All-American (1990–1992).

She was named ACC Female Athlete of the Year in 1991 and 1992, NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 1991, and was selected to the WNBA All-Decade Team in 2006.

Her playing career earned her induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.

As a coach, Staley has led South Carolina to three NCAA Championships (2017, 2022, 2024) and coached Team USA to an Olympic gold medal in 2021.

She has been named Naismith Coach of the Year four times (2014, 2020, 2022, 2024), won eight SEC regular-season championships (2014–2017, 2020, 2022–2024), and secured eight SEC Tournament championships.

Staley received the Billie Jean King Leadership Award in 2022 and became the first person to win the Naismith Award as both a player and a coach. Beyond her on-court achievements, Staley’s impact extends to her philanthropy and advocacy.

She founded the Dawn Staley Foundation to support at-risk youth in Philadelphia and created Innersole to provide shoes to children in need in South Carolina.