South Carolina women’s basketball: Gamecocks honored four times at the ESPYS, including

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South Carolina women’s basketball took home multiple honors at the 2024 ESPYS held Thursday night in Los Angeles. 

The undefeated Gamecocks were named Best Team. A’ja Wilson was named Best Female Athlete and Best WNBA Player. Dawn Staley received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. The award, which was previously announced, recognized Staley for leading South Carolina to a perfect season and for her “ongoing support for women’s sports and equality in the sports world, but also for her leadership in the fight against cancer.”

The night before the ESPYS, Staley was in Las Vegas. She was recognized for her role in building the US women’s program during USA Basketball’s game against Canada.

The Gamecocks flew out to Los Angeles Wednesday morning ahead of the ceremony. They were recognized late in the ceremony.

“Who knew that Dawn’s Daycare would be up here?” Te-Hina Paopao said, speaking on behalf of the team. 

South Carolina went 38-0 and won its second national championship in three years, and third in program history. Despite replacing all five starters from last season’s team, which lost its only game in the Final Four, South Carolina became just the tenth team in NCAA history to finish undefeated.

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South Carolina had the best defense in the country and the third-best offense, combining for the nation’s top scoring margin. Over the last three years, South Carolina has been ranked number one in all but one AP Poll. The Gamecocks haven’t lost a regular season game since 2021 or a home game since 2020.

The other nominees for the best team were the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), Michigan Wolverines (NCAA Football), Las Vegas Aces (WNBA), UConn Huskies (NCAA Men’s Basketball), Oklahoma Sooners (NCAA Softball), Boston Celtics (NBA), Florida Panthers (NHL), and Texas Rangers, MLB.

Wilson led the Las Vegas Aces to their second consecutive WNBA title last season after being infamously snubbed in the MVP voting. She settled for Defensive Player of the Year and Finals MVP. 

So far this season, Wilson is on pace for arguably the greatest season in league history. She is averaging 26.9 points, which would shatter the previous record, and 11.3 rebounds, just behind the existing record. Wilson also leads the WNBA in blocks.

The other nominees for Best Female Athlete were Caitlin Clark (college basketball), Coco Gauff (tennis), and Nelly Korda (golf). The other nominees for Best WNBA Player were Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx), Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty), and Alyssa Thomas (Connecticut Sun).