South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley found herself in unfamiliar territory recently, struggling through a rapper identification quiz that went viral on social media. The legendary coach’s humorous defeat sparked widespread laughter across basketball and hip-hop communities alike.
Van Lathan, host of the “Higher Learning” podcast, shared the entertaining moment on X, asking, “How many rappers under 30 can Dawn Staley guess by picture?” Not many, leading to Staley’s playful admission of embarrassment.
Dawn Staley’s Social Media Confession Goes Viral
The quiz appeared as a segment on Van Lathan’s “Higher Learning” podcast, co-hosted with Rachel Lindsay on The Ringer network. Staley’s participation in the challenge quickly became social media gold when she struggled to identify young rappers by their photos.
They didn’t let me call a friend 🤣🤣🤣 Hide the evidence please 🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/jLtvW51k63
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) June 5, 2025
Following her quiz performance, Staley replied on X with characteristic humor, posting “They didn’t let me call a friend 🤣🤣🤣 Hide the evidence please 🤣🤣🤣.”
Van Lathan, known for his work on “Higher Learning” and “The Red Pill” podcasts, has built his reputation addressing culture and social issues with depth and humor. His decision to include this lighthearted content alongside more serious discussions demonstrates his ability to find moments of joy within broader cultural conversations.
Among the roster of young rappers Staley had to identify, LSU star Flau’jae Johnson appeared in the quiz lineup. Not surprisingly, Staley successfully recognized Johnson, given their shared basketball world and the rivalry between South Carolina and LSU programs.
How many rappers under 30 can Dawn Staley guess by picture? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/T4nBMqCmMz
— Van “Not Going Anywhere” Lathan Jr (@VanLathan) June 5, 2025
Johnson’s inclusion in the rapper quiz highlighted her unique dual identity as both an elite college basketball player and an accomplished hip-hop artist. The daughter of late Savannah rapper Camoflauge, Johnson has released three albums while maintaining her status as a cornerstone player for the Tigers.
The quiz format perfectly captured how Johnson represents a new generation of college athletes comfortable navigating multiple industries simultaneously. Her NIL valuation of $1.5 million reflects her marketability across both sports and entertainment, making her as recognizable in hip-hop circles as on basketball courts.
The relationship between Staley and Johnson extends beyond this quiz, representing the respectful dynamics of women’s college basketball. Following a heated game between their teams, a South Carolina DJ played a song by Johnson’s late father, creating controversy and requiring an official apology from the university.
Despite this incident and coaching rival programs, both figures have shown mutual admiration, with Johnson stating she holds “no bad blood towards South Carolina or Dawn” following the controversy.
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This viral moment perfectly encapsulates how social media can transform simple interactions into shared cultural experiences while highlighting the evolving landscape in which college athletes like Johnson successfully balance multiple career paths simultaneously.
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