BREAKING NEWS: Local bookstores are excited to see @dawnstaley’s book hitting (soon to be flying off) their shelves! Dawn Staley replies, “Supporting local bookstores is a beautiful thing!” All Good Books in Columbia says…

Dawn Staley says this about her new book

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Dawn Staley, the legendary basketball coach and former WNBA player, has never been one to shy away from speaking her mind or sharing her journey. Her new book, recently released to strong anticipation from fans and the sports world, is a powerful testament to that. In interviews and public appearances, Staley has offered thoughtful reflections on what drove her to write the book, what she hopes readers will take from it, and how her personal and professional experiences shaped its pages.

“This book is about more than basketball,” she says. “It’s about identity, leadership, failure, resilience, and ultimately, hope.” For Staley, whose career spans decades and includes Olympic gold medals, NCAA championships, and groundbreaking success as the head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks, the idea of writing a book had been simmering for years. But it wasn’t until recently, she says, that she felt ready to be completely honest on the page — to let people in not just on her victories, but also on the struggles behind them.

She explains that writing the book gave her a sense of clarity. “There’s a certain kind of truth that only comes when you sit still long enough to really reflect. Coaching is constant movement. Life is constant movement. Writing this book forced me to slow down and think — really think — about who I am, how I got here, and what I want to leave behind.” The result is not just a memoir, but a message to anyone who’s ever questioned whether they belong in the room, on the court, or in the fight.

Staley’s voice on the page is as commanding as it is compassionate. She writes candidly about her childhood in North Philadelphia, growing up in a tight-knit but financially struggling family. “We didn’t have much, but we had each other,” she recalls. “And we had basketball.” That love for the game, she explains, became both a refuge and a launching pad. She was a fierce competitor from a young age — one who never allowed her circumstances to dictate her aspirations.

The book dives deep into the challenges of being a Black woman in predominantly white and male-dominated spaces, from her time as a player to her evolution into one of the most respected coaches in the country. “There were moments when I was the only one who looked like me in the room,” she writes. “Moments when people doubted my knowledge, questioned my presence, or underestimated my power. But I learned to let that fuel me. I learned to respond not with anger, but with excellence.”

When asked what surprised her most about writing the book, Staley admits, “I didn’t expect it to be this emotional. You think you remember everything, but when you sit down and relive it all — the wins, the losses, the heartbreak, the joy — it hits you differently. It reminded me why I do what I do.” In particular, she highlights the stories of the young women she’s coached over the years as a source of constant inspiration. “Their strength, their vulnerability, their hunger — it motivates me every single day.”

She also addresses the complexities of leadership. For Staley, being a leader means more than calling plays or giving motivational speeches. It means showing up, listening, evolving, and sometimes failing. “Leadership isn’t about perfection,” she says. “It’s about accountability. It’s about trust. It’s about setting a standard and living up to it — not just when it’s easy, but especially when it’s hard.” That philosophy has helped her build one of the most successful programs in women’s college basketball, but it’s also earned her respect far beyond the hardwood.

Another major theme in the book is advocacy. Staley has become known for using her platform to speak out on social justice issues, from racial inequality to gender equity in sports. “Being silent was never an option for me,” she writes. “Not when I know what it means to be overlooked, marginalized, or dismissed. If I have a microphone, I’m going to use it.” Her activism, she says, is not separate from her coaching — it’s an extension of it. She wants her players to not only become champions, but also empowered individuals who know their worth and are unafraid to fight for what they believe in.

When talking about the title of the book, Staley explains that it reflects both a personal truth and a universal message. “It’s about claiming your space. Owning your voice. Writing your own story — even if others try to write it for you.” That sentiment echoes throughout the book, making it not just a narrative of one woman’s rise, but also a call to action for anyone navigating systems of doubt or limitation.

Staley also uses the book to show gratitude — to her family, to her mentors, to the players who trusted her, and to the fans who believed in her vision. “I didn’t get here alone,” she writes. “And I won’t move forward alone either.” That humility, coupled with fierce determination, has defined her career and makes the book feel deeply authentic.

In discussing the process, she says collaboration was key. “I worked with people who pushed me to go deeper. Who didn’t let me gloss over the hard stuff. Who reminded me that the truth is where the power is.” Still, she insists the words are hers — the rhythm, the tone, the message. “This is me on the page,” she says simply.

Early reviews of the book praise its honesty and insight. Readers have called it empowering, emotional, and unforgettable. For Staley, that’s the greatest reward. “If one person reads this book and feels seen, heard, or inspired, then I’ve done my job.” She hopes it reaches athletes, yes — but also teachers, parents, students, and anyone navigating adversity.

As for what’s next, Staley is focused on continuing her work both on and off the court. She’s committed to mentoring the next generation, advocating for equity, and leading with intention. But the book, she says, marks a new chapter in how she tells her story and connects with others.

“This isn’t the end,” she says. “It’s a continuation. It’s a conversation. It’s an offering.” And in that offering, Dawn Staley reminds us that greatness is not just about what you achieve — it’s about who you become and how you lift others along the way.