Dawn Staley found an amusing way to convince Hollywood actor Jason Sudeikis to pick South Carolina ahead of its Saturday matchup against Texas A&M, and her pitch had everything to do with her reputation for getting things done.
The No. 21 Gamecocks entered the contest following an impressive victory over Oklahoma the previous weekend, with ESPN’s College GameDay making the matchup one of its featured stops. As part of the pregame coverage, several personalities shared their predictions, including Staley and Sudeikis, the actor best known for his role in Ted Lasso.
When it came time to make his selection, Sudeikis revealed that Staley had given him a pretty convincing reason to side with South Carolina.
“I’m going Gamecocks because I heard Coach Staley is playing running back and that woman can do anything,” Sudeikis said during the College GameDay broadcast.
It was a humorous endorsement, but it also reflected the remarkable reputation Staley has built through her work with the South Carolina women’s basketball program.
Since taking over as head coach, Staley has transformed the Gamecocks into one of the most dominant teams in college basketball. She has guided South Carolina to three national championships, winning titles in 2017, 2022 and 2024. Her program has consistently competed at the highest level, producing some of the sport’s biggest stars along the way.
Among the notable players who have developed under Staley are three-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, former South Carolina standout Aliyah Boston and Kamilla Cardoso. All three have carried their success beyond the college game, establishing themselves as prominent figures in professional women’s basketball.
Staley’s accomplishments extend well beyond her coaching record. A Hall of Fame player and Olympic gold medalist, she has built a legacy that places her among the most influential figures in women’s basketball.
Sudeikis, meanwhile, is no stranger to the sport. Although widely recognized for his acting career, the Ted Lasso star has developed a strong interest in women’s basketball and regularly attends both college and WNBA games. He has also shown support for some of the sport’s biggest names, including Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.
Interestingly, his support for South Carolina came despite his well-known loyalty to Notre Dame football.
For the Gamecocks, however, the attention was on a challenging stretch of their football schedule. South Carolina entered Saturday’s meeting with Texas A&M holding a 5-3 record, with a difficult road test against No. 2 Georgia waiting the following weekend.
While Sudeikis’ prediction was delivered with a joke about Staley’s seemingly limitless abilities, it offered another reminder of just how far her reputation has reached beyond women’s college basketball. Her influence is no longer confined to the court, and even a Hollywood star was happy to make the Gamecocks his pick.
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