Celebrities Flock to South Carolina Women’s Basketball Games
Courtside seats at South Carolina women’s basketball games often attract high-profile fans. Dawn Staley has become a national figure after winning three championships.
UConn entered the tournament 38-0. The Gamecocks were 35-3 and had reached their sixth straight Final Four. The matchup took place in Phoenix on April 3 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Road to the Final Four and beyond
The winner of the South Carolina-UConn game advanced to face Texas or UCLA. That national title game was scheduled for April 5. South Carolina’s season featured a 35-3 record.
The Gamecocks’ losses included Oklahoma and two defeats to Texas. The report also noted South Carolina went 38-0 in 2024, marking a program first.
Celebrity supporters and campus events
Celebrities flock to South Carolina, appearing at women’s basketball games and related events. Famous attendees help boost visibility for the program.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts attended the 2024 NCAA women’s championship game against Iowa. Staley is from Philadelphia and is a longtime Eagles fan.
Rapper Plies has been a frequent courtside supporter. After the 2024 title, Staley joined Plies on stage during one of his Columbia shows.
Country star and alumnus Darius Rucker has also supported the Gamecocks. He held a free concert for students to celebrate the 2022 championship. Rucker was scheduled to perform at the Garnet & Black Spring Fest on April 11. That festival was set to replace the 2026 spring football game because Williams-Brice Stadium will undergo renovations.
Coaches, players and notable attendees
South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer posted on April 3 that he was flying to Arizona. He intended to watch Dawn Staley and the GamecockWBB compete in Phoenix.
Rookie Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori is dating Gamecocks guard Raven Johnson. Emmanwori had not announced whether he would attend the Final Four.
Sophomore Joyce Edwards led South Carolina with 19.7 points per game. She scored a season-high 29 points in a December win over Penn State.
Schedule snapshot
| Game | Date | Time / Network |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina vs UConn (Final Four) | April 3 | 7 p.m. ET / ESPN |
| National Championship | April 5 | Winner vs Texas/UCLA |
This coverage was compiled for Filmogaz.com. Reporting originally came from Kamryn Jackson, who covers high school and college sports. She can be reached at [email protected] and on X @KamxJack.
