Uncommon Favor (Unabridged)
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4.9 • 30 Ratings
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
For the first time, Dawn Staley shares powerful and inspiring stories that have shaped her journey on and off the court.
A three-time Olympic gold medalist, six-time WNBA All-Star, and the first person to win the Naismith College Player of the Year award as both a player and coach, Staley has shattered expectations at every level of the game. While her name resonates with both longtime WNBA fans and newcomers, she has kept her personal life private.
Uncommon Favor reveals the journey that led to Staley’s success, including the challenges she faced. From dealing with sexism on the court to feeling isolated in new environments, Staley honed her skills and learned valuable life lessons about mental fortitude and maturity that have grounded her throughout her career. Beginning with her humble origins on the North Philadelphia basketball court and her rise to national fame at the University of Virginia—where she led her team to three Final Fours—Staley recounts the key moments that shaped her winning mindset.
Staley’s iconic career in the WNBA and her groundbreaking coaching journey at the University of South Carolina highlight the milestones and turning points that have defined her success, both on and off the court. Fearless and authentic, Uncommon Favor shares the rewards of leading with conviction and the courage to redefine the limits of what is possible.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Dawn Staley, one of the most accomplished people in basketball history, fills this forthright memoir with uncommon knowledge accumulated throughout a truly extraordinary life. Framing each chapter around a central lesson on topics like discipline and people management, she offers insight into her childhood in the North Philadelphia projects, her Hall of Fame career as a player, and a college coaching career that started while she was still playing in the WNBA. A combination of Philly attitude and her mother’s unshakable faith forged a personality that can be, by turns, unapologetically cutting and unabashedly generous. Staley’s coaching career, including three national championships at the University of South Carolina, gives her the unique insight of someone who has pursued individual greatness at the highest levels and knows how to help others do the same. She mirrors the straightforward honesty of her writing in her unvarnished narration. With Uncommon Favor, Staley demonstrates just how far the boundaries of personal achievement can be pushed through unyielding belief and determination.
Customer Reviews
Uncommon and Unforgettable
I finally finished Uncommon Favor—and it was well worth the emotional ride. As a Black woman born and raised in the South, I felt deeply seen by Dawn’s story. Her lessons, both on and off the court, resonated with me in ways I’m still unpacking, especially as someone still learning many of those same lessons in adulthood.
What made this book even more meaningful was the personal connection I felt to her experiences—so many of our stories overlapped. The chapter about her mother’s Alzheimer’s brought me to tears, as it reminded me of the final days with my own grandmother.
Thank you, Coach Staley, for your honesty, resilience, and the courage to share your story with the world. This book is a 2000/10 recommendation. Truly inspiring.
Super engaging
Dawn has accomplished so much as a person, coach, player, activist. Listening to her speak the learnings of her life was a great experience. She is not a professional actor so her timing was off at times but that makes her voice more relatable in my opinion.