One doesn’t have to be a basketball savant to know that players from UConn and South Carolina don’t like each another. They’re perhaps the two biggest powerhouses in women’s college basketball right now.
That’s why coach Geno Auriemma made the most of the chance to take a subtle jab at A’Ja Wilson, who got a statue after leading the Gamecocks to a title. That, per UConn standards, isn’t enough.
“Most other places, if you win one national championship, they build a statue to you outside the building. Here, they won’t even let you get to the front of the bus,” Auriemma said at the championship parade while counting how many championships each of the current and former players there had.
Dawn Staley defends A’JA Wilson
With that in mind, Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley made sure to have her former player’s back. While she didn’t mention Auriemma, she clearly clapped back at his remarks:
A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces
“Contrary to the belief of one of my coaching colleagues, her statue wasn’t in response to winning a national championship. It was in response to being a winner at life,” Staley said. “It’s a tribute to a hometown hero. A symbol of what’s possible for the youth of Columbia, when passion meets preparedness. A’ja Wilson represents excellence, perseverance and discipline. There’s no one more deserving, no better example for young people in this community.”
The Huskies dominated the Gamecocks in the national championship game this season to keep adding to their stacked trophy cabinet, so they clearly have bragging rights right now.
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