Book it – Dawn Staley is now an author

COLUMBIA, S.C. — When you have a resume that is detailed with Hall of Fame credentials, it is a matter of time before that person is either motivated from within or prodded from those outside to write a book and that time is now for Dawn Staley.

Long before she won three national championships at South Carolina, Staley played at a high level for Virginia, the Charlotte Sting and for Team USA in the Olympics. 

But her story started on Philadelphia where she was born and her love of that city and the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles has long been documented and her many experiences over the years, outside of the championships, is what readers will learn about his Staley’s new book.

On Friday, Staley announced on social media that her book, “Uncommon Favor: Basketball, North Philly, My Mother and Life Lessons I learned from All Three” will be available on May 20. The book will take readers on a journey detailing Staley’s own journey from growing up in the Philadelphia projects to reaching the top of the college basketball mountain on three occasions, plus earning numerous Olympic Gold Medals for Team USA.

Writing a book is a huge challenge and one that Staley had avoided until now.

“Number one I just got tired of people asking me,” Staley said Friday when asked about the timing of this book.

“Two, I had to do it before I forgot everything and three, I think the season that we had last year made me really thankful for what I described as an uncommon favor or career.”

Before each season, a theme for that particular season is unveiled and “Uncommon” is the theme of Gamecock women’s basketball for this 2024-2025 season. It comes on the heels of last year’s undefeated season which was capped off by Staley’s third national title. Clearly, the book’s title is a nod to last season’s theme and also a reminder of Staley’s belief in God’s blessings which Staley has talked about on the record in numerous high-profile settings.