South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley has opened up about a deeply emotional experience from her youth in her new memoir, Uncommon Favor: Basketball, North Philly, My Mother, and the Life Lessons I Learned From All Three. In an interview on The Breakfast Club, Staley shared a poignant story that highlights the complexities of her relationship with her late father, Clarence Staley.
At around 13 or 14 years old, Staley was invited to participate in a basketball competition outside of Philadelphia—a significant opportunity for a young athlete. However, her father, whom she affectionately called “Cudd,” denied her permission to go. Staley recalled the pain she felt at the time, saying, “I didn’t like my father for that. I didn’t like him for the parental decision that he made.”
Looking back, Staley understands that her father’s decision was rooted in protective love. She acknowledged, “I’m 13, 14 years old, whose parents going to let them, somebody else, take their child out of state?” Despite the initial resentment, she recognizes that such conflicts fueled her drive to succeed. Staley explained, “I need conflict. I need it; it helps me drive.”
Her memoir delves deeper into her upbringing in the Raymond Rosen housing projects of North Philadelphia, where she learned resilience and determination. Staley’s journey from a young girl with dreams of playing basketball to becoming a Hall of Fame player and coach is a testament to her unwavering commitment and the lessons she learned from both her parents.
Uncommon Favor offers readers an intimate look into Staley’s life, shedding light on the personal experiences that shaped her into the influential figure she is today.
