As the South Carolina Gamecocks prepare their return on court ahead of the new season later this year, they have been spending some quality time in this offseason helping basketball grow at the grassroots level.
Former LA Clippers legend & 12-time NBA All-Star guard Chris Paul, in an Instagram story on Friday, expressed his gratitude towards the South Carolina-based franchise and head coach Dawn Staley for supporting his club’s Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball side.
Paul, who is reportedly worth $220 million as per Celebrity Net Worth, also thanked Gamecocks’ standout softball infielder Arianna “Ari” Rodi for her heartfelt gesture, who was also supposedly present with the South Carolina women’s basketball side and Dawn Staley.
“I want to give a huge shout out to the University of South Carolina women’s basketball team, to Dawn Staley and Ari. Thank y’all for letting the ladies come out and support our AAU team here in Augusta tonight. The boys played amazing out of their minds”, Chris Paul stated
He further asked the 3x national championship-winning head coach to postpone the Gamecocks’ practice session so the team could see his amateur side in action the next day.
“So Dawn, if you could push practice back tomorrow or something like that so the girls can come see us play tomorrow, we would love that. So, big shout out to y’all, the Lady Gamecocks. I really appreciate y’all, the energy and all that was special today”, he further elaborated.
After announcing his retirement from an illustrious 21-year NBA career earlier this year, Chris is now heavily involved in coaching his AAU and EYBL sides, which are a part of his renowned CP3 basketball academy.
Dawn Staley Inducted in TIME’s 100 Most Influential Sports Personalities List
Earlier this June, legendary women’s CBB head coach Dawn Staley was inducted into the 2026 edition of TIME’s Most Influential People in Sports list just months after leading the Gamecocks into their third national championship final in a row.
Staley also became the highest-paid coach in the history of women’s college basketball this year, inking a record $25.25 million contract extension.
Also Read:
- “Pretty Gutsy”: Audi Crooks Reveals Jacie Hoyt’s Surprising Recruiting Strategy to Get Her to Oklahoma State
- Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Guard Shares Heartfelt Message As She Steps Away from Basketball
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