Twelve dollars worth of Dawn Staley is no stranger to winning. Over the past decade, she has built South Carolina into a dominant force in women’s college basketball, racking up championships, accolades, and an army of loyal fans. But every now and then, she lets her competitive spirit shine through in the pettiest, most entertaining ways—and when that happens, it’s pure gold.
Dawn Staley Shows That She Is Here to Win and Have Fun
On Monday morning, Staley took to social media to post a video that sent the college basketball world into a frenzy. Singing along to McDonald’s famous jingle, she captioned the video with the playful lyrics:
“Hey Mickie you so fine, you so fine you blow my mind….hey Mickie!”
“I’m loving it,” she quips in the video.
Hey Mickie you so fine you so fine you blow my mind….hey mickie! pic.twitter.com/DjmstPBHJb
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) March 3, 2025
While the video was lighthearted, those who had been paying attention knew exactly what was going on—this was a not-so-subtle clapback at Kentucky head coach Kenny Brooks. Brooks, after his team lost to South Carolina over the weekend, made some eyebrow-raising comments about the Gamecocks’ roster.
“They were bringing in McDonald’s All-Americans for McDonald’s All-Americans, just seeing which one was going to play better. They were fresh,” Brooks said.
While the comment seemed innocuous at first, the underlying tone suggested that South Carolina’s success was due to talent alone rather than coaching, chemistry, or hard work. It was a way of saying that the Gamecocks were winning simply because they had an embarrassment of riches, not because they were a well-oiled basketball machine.
Staley, known for her classy demeanor, could have easily ignored the remark. Instead, she decided to have a little fun with it. And, honestly, who could blame her? The video quickly went viral, with fans and media members eating up the hilariously petty response.
Why Dawn Staley’s Petty Side is So Entertaining
Staley’s reaction was not just about responding to Brooks—it was about making a statement. She has heard the same criticism before, and she is tired of it. Brooks is not the first coach to make these kinds of comments.
Earlier in the season, LSU’s Kim Mulkey made a similar remark about South Carolina’s deep and talented roster. The implication in these statements is that Staley’s team wins because they are stacked with elite players, as if that alone guarantees success.
This narrative completely ignores the effort and discipline that go into building a championship-caliber team. Recruiting elite talent is one thing, but developing that talent, fostering team chemistry, and executing game plans are what set great programs apart.
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South Carolina does not just have McDonald’s All-Americans—they have players who buy into Staley’s system, work hard, and execute at the highest level.
Her response was not a mean-spirited jab but rather a clever way to shut down the tired narrative that South Carolina only wins because of its recruiting. It was a masterclass in using social media to make a point without saying a word.
With the NCAA Tournament right around the corner, if South Carolina continues its dominance with another championship, will the same critics still argue that it was just a result of superior talent?
If anything, the Gamecocks’ recent performances should put those doubts to rest.
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