The long-awaited statue of South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley was unveiled Wednesday near downtown Columbia. The statue, which is 14 feet tall, made of bronze and weighs nearly 2,000 pounds, depicts a smiling Staley on a ladder holding a basketball net, as if she’d just cut it down after winning a national championship.

Dawn Staley has trophies, rings, and gold medals. Now she can add a statue to that list after a bronze likeness was unveiled in downtown Columbia. The statue was unveiled Wednesday afternoon during a ceremony at the University of South Carolina Pastides Alumni Center at the Corner of Senate and Lincoln Streets in the Vista.

Dawn Staley has transformed the South Carolina women's basketball program into one of the best in the country over her 17 seasons as head coach. The Gamecocks have made the NCAA Tournament in 14 consecutive seasons, made seven Final Fours and won three national championships under Staley's guidance.