Dawn Staley Launches Inaugural PowHER Player Classic, Bringing HBCU Women’s Basketball to South Carolina

Dawn Staley is taking her commitment to HBCU women’s basketball to another level with the launch of the inaugural PowHER Player Classic, a new tournament designed to bring HBCU programs together while creating opportunities for women beyond the basketball court.

South Carolina women’s basketball announced the event Aug. 27, with the Gamecocks set to host Tennessee State, Alabama A&M and North Carolina Central University at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia. The tournament will begin Nov. 28, when Alabama A&M faces NC Central before South Carolina takes on Tennessee State. The consolation and championship games will follow Nov. 29.

The event is being organized in partnership with Rae Rose Media, a sports-focused media company that works with women’s athletic programs and female athletes to expand their brands and opportunities.

For Staley, the tournament represents an extension of her long-standing support of HBCU basketball. During her tenure at South Carolina, she has scheduled at least one regular-season matchup against an HBCU in 15 of her 18 seasons. She has also advocated for greater recognition of HBCU programs, particularly as their success continues to challenge perceptions about the level of talent and coaching within those institutions.

“Basketball has always been a vehicle for access and opportunities,” Staley said in the announcement. She added that she wants to ensure young women who contribute to the sport can benefit from the opportunities being created around it, regardless of where they play.

The PowHER Player Classic will also extend beyond basketball. A holiday-themed community service event is planned for Thanksgiving, followed by an NIL Marketplace on Nov. 28 that will provide another platform for athletes and brands.

The tournament also features familiar connections to Staley. NC Central head coach Olivia Gaines previously played for South Carolina, while Tennessee State head coach Candice Dupree played under Staley at Temple.

With two HBCUs from the Carolinas represented alongside two other HBCU programs, the PowHER Player Classic gives women’s college basketball a new stage while highlighting the talent, leadership and opportunities within HBCU athletics.