"Dawn Staley is a role model to me": Tessa Johnson on seeking inspiration from 3X national champ

South Carolina Gamecocks burgeoning star Tessa Johnson recently had some complimentary words for her coach Dawn Staley.

During a forum for the ESPN Women Summit in Brooklyn, New York, where Johnson was one of the main speakers, she highlighted the importance Staley placed on character development.

"She's always talking about character, and building your character, and having a solid foundation, and just seeing her and how she inspires me, and how she, like she's a role model to me. So just her being her that's the biggest lesson I get."

Johnson was one of the revelations of the Lady Gamecocks' championship-winning run in 2023-24. She averaged 6.6 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game and shot 44.7%.

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Dawn Staley gets a present from the NY Knicks

The New York Knicks, who beat the Philadelphia 76ers 4-2 in the first round of the NBA playoffs, decided to poke fun at Dawn Staley, a Philadelphia native and a fan of the 76ers, by sending her a care package.

The South Carolina coach took to her X account to share the contents of the package, adding the following words:

"Can’t beat em join them ... Thank you to my @nyknicks peeps for sending the NY love package! Thank you Rick! Thank you Jalen! Family for life! Win that ish!!"

The package included a jersey of the Knicks' Jalen Brunson and a picture of the player as a kid with the now three-time national championship-winning coach.

The Knicks, meanwhile, lead the Indiana Pacers 2-1 in the second round. Game 4 takes place on Sunday at 3:00 pm ET.