Dawn Staley Biography - Up From The Projects, Onto The Basketball Court, Giving Back To The Community, Staley At The Olympics

American basketball player

From humble beginnings in a North Philadelphia housing project, Dawn Staley dedicated herself to being one of the best female basketball players. Among her numerous honors, are USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year, National Player of the Year, and NCAA Region Most Outstanding Player. Staley was a member of the first women's Dream Team in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, winning gold both times. While playing for the Charlotte Sting, she was hired as coach for the Temple Owls. In 1996, Staley created the Dawn Staley Foundation to offer girls in her old neighborhood of Philadelphia an After School Project that focused on academics and athletics.