Olivia Gaines talks Dawn Staley inspiration, vision for North Carolina Central appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley is widely considered one of the best coaches in college basketball, and she’s creating a coaching tree that branches out to HBCU basketball. With Candace Dupree at Tennessee State, Olivia Gaines is the latest to join the Division I ranks at North Carolina Central.
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In an interview posted by North Carolina Central, she spoke about the inspiration that she received from Staley and her recruitment to South Carolina.
“I think what I learned far as from her is just the player relationship. Like I said, that goes a long way, and I think when you show your kids that you care about them, they’ll be willing to run through a brick wall for you. So that’s really, really important for me.”
Gaines spoke about how her conversations with Staley were more about life than about basketball, which made her want to commit to South Carolina even more.
When I first got recruited to South Carolina, it wasn’t like my normal calls. I got recruits from University of Florida, Florida Gulf Coast, Hardpoint, East Carolina, and all those conversations had just been about basketball. Um, but my first conversation with Coach Staley had been more so about life. Like, ‘How is your family?’ Like, you know, ‘Tell me how your family doing.’ It was more so not just the basketball aspect, so I’m forever grateful for that, and that’s why I chose University of South Carolina.”
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After reminiscing about her college years, she then set her sights on articulating her vision for North Carolina Central women’s basketball.
“9-20 is not the way. I don’t want it to be the way. I do want to win. I don’t want to take a long time to win basketball games. I know the previous coach had already found some kids and I built relationships with those kids and hopefully we can get them up to speed about how I like to play…push out, transition, defense, man-to-man. And then [I’m] bringing a few of my own kids so I’m excited about that part. But, again, all gas no breaks.”
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