South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley is one of the biggest stars in women’s college basketball. This offseason, she stepped off the court for a book tour after releasing her new novel, “Uncommon Favor: Basketball, North Philly, My Mother, and the Life Lessons I learned from All Three,” in May.
While Staley is famous in the basketball world, on Wednesday, she appeared on a podcast hosted by someone with an even bigger reputation than hers. She appeared on the “IMO” podcast, hosted by former First Lady Michelle Obama and her older brother Craig Robinson.
You can catch Dawn Staley’s interview with Michelle Obama tomorrow on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. @imopodcasts pic.twitter.com/bjtO5e9fnJ
— WNBAGamecocks (@WNBAGamecocks) August 12, 2025
Early in the show, Staley started speaking about her book and how she was not sure how it would be received. Obama spoke up to say that she was not surprised to hear that it was well-received because it is so beautifully written. She even mentioned that it was reminiscent of her upbringing.
“I can imagine that it’s well-received because it’s a beautifully written book,” Michelle Obama said (Timestamp 4:30). “I was saying that, your upbringing, your relationship to your mother, your feeling about your community, Philly, that the neighborhood you grew up, it’s so reminiscent of how we grew up. You know, I can understand that, wanting to pay tribute to the people who brought you where you are.”
Dawn Staley Speaks About Growing Up in North Philly
After Michelle Obama praised Dawn Staley for her book and how it was written, she asked her to speak about her upbringing. Staley opened up about how, even though she grew up in the projects, she felt a sense of community.
“I thought it was great. I never had a care in the world,” Dawn Staley said (Timestamp 5:10). “My mother was a disciplined mother, so I did have a care in the world when it went against what she wanted. I did. I felt like I had everything. I felt like I had a desire to compete. I felt like I had a discipline in the household. I felt like I had friends who really understood and believed in friendship and camaraderie.”
Staley has now taken on the role of the disciplined mother as the head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Read More:
- When Dawn Staley Reflected on the WNBA Successes That Mean the Most to Her
- When Dawn Staley Explained Why Raven Johnson Needed to Be ‘More Selfish’ on the Court
- “Almost Like You’re Giving Birth”: When Dawn Staley Opened Up On Rare Bond With Players Using An Unexpected Comparison
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
