South Carolina's Dawn Staley says money is driving transfer portal recruiting talks more than ever
Dawn Staley says financial aspects now dominate transfer talks while still prioritizing player graduation at South Carolina, with multiple transfers on the roster.
- South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said Sunday that financial discussions have become the primary focus when recruiting players, particularly those in the transfer portal.
- In the past, the three-time NCAA national championship coach emphasized earning a degree during recruit conversations; now financial compensation is the main priority for many portal players in the name, likeness, and image era.
- Staley addresses the financial question quickly after pleasantries to avoid "spinning your wheels on somebody that you can't afford." She stated, "You either are going to have enough to pay players, or you don't."
- Even with money being the focus, Staley and her staff prioritize academic success for their athletes. "We always have a plan no matter how many credits you come in with, a plan to get you out on time," Staley said.
- The Gamecocks face TCU in the Elite Eight on Monday night, with Horned Frogs coach Mark Campbell stating, "I think we've had 18 portal players, six each year," reflecting widespread portal reliance.
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Dawn Staley Calls Out NCAA Over Growing NIL Role in Recruiting
College basketball is on its way to surpass a billion in NIL spending. Yes, that is a billion with a “b.” In 2025-26, an estimated $932.5 million was spent on NIL products and services for men’s and women’s basketball, according to a study from Opendorse. For context, in Year 1, schools spent an estimated $314.4 million. So recruiting in the new NIL era in the NCAA has largely gotten financial, according to South Carolina coach Dawn Staley. “Ho…
South Carolina's Dawn Staley says money is driving transfer portal recruiting talks more than ever
Dawn Staley says conversations with recruits have changed over the past few years, with finances becoming a top point of discussion, especially with players in the transfer portal.
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