WATCH: 3x national champ Dawn Staley shares a moment with former South Carolina star Victaria Saxton and Aaliyah Boston

Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever squared off against the New York Liberty and NCAA women's basketball national championship-winning coach Dawn Staley was in attendance. The thrilling WNBA match ended 91-80 in favor of the Breanna Stewart-led Liberty.

While Caitlin Clark appears to be the biggest star to watch for Indiana Fever in the game, Staley wasn't at the arena just for the former Iowa point guard. The coach had two of her former players at South Carolina who are now teammates with Clark on the WNBA team.

Dawn Staley was seen sharing a moment with Aaliyah Boston and Victaria Saxton at the end of the exciting contest. It is presumed she was sharing some words of encouragement with her former Gamecocks players following their loss to the New York Liberty.

Victaria Saxton and Aaliyah Boston’s legacies at South Carolina

Victaria Saxton and Aaliyah Boston had a brilliant career at South Carolina before proceeding to the WNBA. The two Indiana Fevers players were part of the Gamecocks 2022 national championship-winning team, showcasing their legacy at the program.

In her junior season, Boston broke the SEC record for the most consecutive double-doubles. She was also named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player as the Gamecocks won their second championship. Saxton also played a crucial role as a starter in the 2021-22 season as Dawn Staley’s team went on to claim the national title.

Boston and Saxton were drafted into the WNBA by the Indiana Fever in 2023, with Boston picked as the first overall pick while Saxton was drafted with the 25th overall pick in the third round. Boston was a starter in the 2023 All-Star game and went on to win the Rookie of the Year award.

Can Dawn Staley lead Carolina to the title next season?

South Carolina has been superb in the last four college basketball seasons. The Gamecocks have reached the Final Four in each of those seasons and have gone on to win the national title twice in that period.

Dawn Staley led the team to the national championship last season undefeated, exerting their dominance in the landscape despite the number of strong opponents. The chances of retaining the title next season is the question many are asking.

The Gamecocks are 109-3 in the last three college basketball seasons and will enter the 2024-25 season as one of the strongest teams in the landscape. Without a doubt, the team has all it takes to retain the national title next season.