Basketball
Knicks attempt to woo South Carolina coach Dawn Staley as fan: ‘Can’t beat em join them’
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Although Dawn Staley is embedded in Columbia, South Carolina, as arguably the best college basketball coach in the country, her roots run deep in the City of Brotherly Love: Philadelphia.
With the New York Knicks having defeated the 76ers in the first round of the NBA playoffs and up 2-0 on the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, they’re now looking to add insult to injury by recruiting the born-and-bred Philadelphian to their side for the remainder of the postseason.
To that end, New York sent Staley a loot crate of sorts, including a jersey of Knicks guard (and Villanova grad) Jalen Brunson and myriad Knicks merch.
REQUIRED READING: Why Dawn Staley, South Carolina bought center court circle from NCAA basketball title game
Staley posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, about the haul, saying: “Can’t beat em join them … Thank you to my @nyknicks peeps for sending the NY love package! Thank you Rick! Thank you Jalen! Family for life! Win that ish!!”
She also posted photos of the merch and a picture of herself alongside Brunson.
Did this fully convert Staley? Probably not. But the 54-year-old does have a connection to Brunson, who is 27, that undoubtedly makes it hard for her to really root against him.
Dawn Staley at Temple
The photo of her and Brunson was taken Nov. 13, 2004, when he was just 8 years old. They have some roots at Temple University. Staley coached the Owls from 2000 to 2008, and Rick Brunson, Jalen’s father, graduated in 1995.
Staley and Jalen Brunson hugged before the Knicks played the 76ers in Game 4 of the first round of the NBA playoffs on April 28.
Sixers fans probably don’t need to worry. Staley embodied that famous Philadelphia hospitality by waving to Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein when he picked up his fifth foul in Game 4. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have love for Brunson.
In the college and professional sports worlds, family trees get complicated. What can you do?
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