As South Carolina faced Texas in the Final Four with a spot in the national championship on Friday night, Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley drew some attention for one of her accessories.
She wore a necklace featuring multi-colored beads, which is a recurring element of her game day apparel. But for Staley, the fashion choice wasn't made haphazardly.
The necklace has a touching story behind it. It was made by Blakeleigh Thompson, a seven-year-old girl who is currently battling Leukemia and has developed a close relationship with Staley. The two met in 2023 at the UVA Children's Hospital, according to Greenville News, and Thompson made both of the necklaces that Staley frequently wears during South Carolina's games.
Dawn Staley is going to step out EVERY TIME 🔥#MarchMadness x #WFinalFour x @GamecockWBBpic.twitter.com/lcko44tu0Q
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 4, 2025
Staley received a surprise from Thompson before the Gamecocks' Elite Eight win over Notre Dame. During an interview with ESPN, which Staley thought would be a typical interview, she was instead greeted by Thompson, who also gifted her a new necklace as the old one was beginning to wear.
We are all crying. Blakely is the little girl who Dawn Staley was inspired by as she fights leukemia. Coach Staley’s necklaces she always wears are in Blakely’s honor. ESPN surprised coach with a sweet message today! ❤️❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/2gJvz9uXma
— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) March 29, 2025
“For us, it’s our world, it’s our passion, it’s what we do,” Staley said when asked about her bracelets and necklaces earlier in the tournament. “It’s really just basketball when you put it in perspective of what other people have to go through.”
Following the appearance on ESPN last month, Thompson's mother told the Greenville News that she is doing "really well" and expects to complete treatment in three months.
Staley will hope the necklace provides the Gamecocks some good luck as they push for their third national championship in the last four years.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Dawn Staley Necklaces: Touching backstory to game day jewelry
