8x NBA All-star heaps praise on Dawn Staley's South Carolina for 'pure' basketball: "Play the game like its supposed to be played"

South Carolina women’s basketball has become one of the most admired programs in college sports, and they have earned some high praise from NBA legend Alex English. The eight-time NBA All-Star and 1983 scoring champion singled out Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks as an example of how the sport should be played.

English, a South Carolina native and Hall of Famer, shared his thoughts during a Thursday appearance on the "South Carolina Sideline" podcast with Matt Dowell. In the interview, he spoke about how much he enjoys watching women’s basketball, specifically mentioning the Gamecocks under Staley’s leadership.

“I watch probably more women's basketball than I do men. I watch more men's basketball during the playoffs. But I watch the women's game during the season because it's a shorter season,” English said.

“And I think that's due to a lot of the college players that have come out, the women players that are so talented. And a lot of that happened here at USC with Dawn Staley and the players that she's brought forth and all of the other players.

“But the women's game is like the NBA game may have been when I played. They're fundamentally sound. They're not dunking the ball yet. Some of them are, but they're just pure. They just play the game like it's supposed to be played."

Under Staley, South Carolina has built a dynasty in women’s college basketball. The Gamecocks have won three national championships, all under Staley, the last of which was in 2024. They attempted to win back-to-back national titles, but lost to UConn in the 2025 NCAA Tournament Final.

The program has been to seven Final Fours under Staley, and they are one of the favorites heading into the 2025-26 season, showing how well run they are under the coach.

Dawn Staley's South Carolina finds out opponent in ACC/SEC Challenge

The ACC/SEC Challenge matchups were released on Thursday, and South Carolina will be playing Louisville on December 4 at the KFC Yum! Center.

Lulu Kesin

@LuluKesin

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NEW: South Carolina women's basketball will face Louisville in the 2025 ACC/SEC Challenge.

Game will be on Dec. 4 at the KFC Yum! Center!

Staley’s team is hoping to go all the way for a fourth title, and they have strengthened by signing former LSU guard MiLaysia Fulwiley and last season’s leading national scorer Ta'Niya Latson.