Everything Dawn Staley said during South Carolina WBB’s White House visit

South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley was on a different sort of national stage Tuesday morning in Washington, D.C.

After leading the Gamecocks to a 38-0 record and the 2024 national championship in April, Staley and USC were honored by President Joe Biden at the White House.

After introductory remarks from Biden, Staley, a three-time national champion at South Carolina, took the podium Tuesday and delivered a roughly three-minute speech that hit on far more than basketball. Here’s a transcript of her comments.

Staley: White House symbolizes ‘hope’

“Thank you. Thank you, President Biden, to my good friend, Dr. (Jill) Biden, and distinguished guests. Thank you for this incredible honor. To stand here in the White House — a house that symbolizes hope, unity and opportunity for all — is a moment that is not lost on me. I feel like this is a teachable moment for my team.

“I’m reminded of the journey of our state, our home state, South Carolina, has taken. How not so long ago, the Confederate flag was taken down from our state capitol — a symbol that represented division and exclusion. That moment wasn’t just about a symbol being removed. It was about people coming together, uniting for a shared vision of progress, justice and equality.

“Today, my staff, my team and I stand here embodying diversity, inclusiveness and unity. My hope is that this moment lands on you, my team, as a powerful reminder of the beauty that can come from unifying for a common goal and doing things the right way.”

Staley to team: ‘This moment is yours’

“To my incredible staff and my relentless team, this moment is yours. I ask so much of you, and you never back down. You rise to every challenge with grace, tenacity and heart.

“We stand here today because of that commitment, because of your willingness to put in work and sacrifice to achieve something greater than ourselves.”

A shout-out to USC

“We want to take a moment to thank our families for our foundation and our fans — or FAMS, as we call them — who will travel the globe to support us and have become an unofficial sixth man.

“To the University of South Carolina and the great state of South Carolina, we work hard every day to represent you well, and I truly hope we made you proud.

“Most importantly, we know we wouldn’t be here without the grace of God.”

“So I’d like to say just thank you. Thank you everyone for supporting our team. I want to thank President Biden for your leadership. We appreciate your service, and we hope — we truly hope — that your legacy will continue in all of us.

“So thank you so much.”

Biden has jokes

After Staley finished her address from the podium with her team and staff standing behind her in the White House’s East Room, Biden walked back over to the podium and leaned into the mic.

“Let me say something,” he said, grinning. “All of those of you who hold public office in South Carolina: You’d better hope she keeps coaching and doesn’t run.”

The room erupted in laughter and applause.