As the NCAAW moves closer to the March Madness games, Dawn Staley reached a mega milestone with a win over LSU. Cameras caught Staley embracing Tessa Johnson after the 500th career win.
While the coach remained upbeat about her Gamecocks’ success, she also turned her attention to world events in her recent post. As the calendar changed from February to March, the news of war between Israel and Iran shook the world. As per the update, there had been a few WNBA players in the warzone, and the coach specifically mentioned those names in her post.
Dawn Staley Provides Update For WNBA Players In Warzone
South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley said Saturday that the university is working to bring three former women’s basketball players home from Israel as joint missile strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran continued.
Staley shared a message on X, as she wrote, “Please pray for our @GamecockWBB @TiffMitch25 @2121Mikiah @dstnylttltn24 who are in a war zone in Israel!! We are working a plan to get home. Let us pray for our loved ones to return home safely asap! Thank you in advance.”
Please pray for our @GamecockWBB @TiffMitch25 @2121Mikiah @dstnylttltn24 who are in a war zone in Israel!! We are working a plan to get home. Let us pray for our loved ones to return home safely asap! Thank you in advance. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) February 28, 2026
The players mentioned in the post were part of the WNBA community and were in Israel during Wartime. Tiffany Mitchell played last season for the Seattle Storm, and forward Mikiah Herbert Harrigan played for the Phoenix Mercury. Destiny Littleton was a former Team USA guard.
Scroll to continue reading
Trending WNBA News
Back in the states, the coach also backed the WNBA players to stay firm on their demands in the CBA discussions. She mentioned that she was also a player and understands their fight.
Dawn Staley Wants WNBA Players To Fight For Their Rights
The CBA discussions had been a hot topic on the WNBA platform. While the league and players’ associations are working on the same thing, there are many key points that are taking time and are the source of disagreement between the parties. Talking about the same, the Gamecocks coach spoke.
She backed the PA to push for their demands in a recent interview and said, “Anybody that is willing to bet on self in this space, it’s always a good thing. And bet on self is both ways. The WNBA is betting on self, and the players are betting on self. The game is in high demand, like super high demand. If you don’t fight for something right now, you’re going to settle for anything in the future.”
Dawn Staley on the WNBA CBA talks:
— Matt Dowell (@MattDowellTV) February 20, 2026
"I've been a player & the game is in high demand. If you don't fight for something right now, you're gonna settle for anything in the future. I think we'll have a season & I believe it's gonna start on time. But I don't have a dog in the fight" pic.twitter.com/YRbu3FcOvp
The WNBPA responded to the WNBA’s recent proposal with a counteroffer, stating they are ready to complete CBA discussions within the league’s deadline – March 10.