President Joe Biden praised the NCAA women’s basketball champions, South Carolina, and head coach Dawn Staley for their historic title run during a White House celebration on Tuesday. South Carolina went 38-0, with Staley achieving her third championship with the Gamecocks since 2017. Their title game against Iowa drew more viewers than this year’s men’s championship.
Biden highlighted the impact of women’s sports, stating that everyone now watches women’s sports and young girls see the power of their idols’ example. Later, Biden also honored the UConn men’s basketball team for their second straight title win. South Carolina had a remarkable season despite losing all five starters from the previous year and dominated in scoring defense, margin of victory, and blocked shots.
It was South Carolina’s first White House visit, with Staley and the team skipping previous championship visits. Staley, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, has also served in the presidential delegation to the Paris Olympics. Several South Carolinian politicians attended the ceremony, and Biden joked about them facing tough competition if Staley were to enter politics.
The celebration recognized the achievements of both the South Carolina women’s team and the UConn men’s team, showcasing the growth of interest in women’s sports and the continued success of college basketball programs. With Staley’s leadership and the Gamecocks’ impressive season, women’s sports are gaining more recognition and inspiring future generations of athletes.
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