Uncommon Favor

Basketball, North Philly, My Mother, and the Life Lessons I Learned from All Three

De: Dawn Staley

Narrado por: Dawn Staley

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.

©2025 Dawn Staley (P)2025 Simon & Schuster Audio

Inspiring read

Dawn Staley wrote a beautiful story about her journey. It’s not salacious, it really is about her remarkable basketball journey. It’s quite amazing looking back at her dedication to the sport when there was not a lot of attention on women in sports. Uncommon favor is a perfect name and a really enjoyable, inspiring read.

Profound book!

A great read to listen to. Dawn is an awesome story teller.
Everyone should to take the time read or listen to. A+

Great listen

Gives a great sense of who Dawn Stanley is and where she comes from
And what’s she believes in

Dawn

Dawn’s honesty and her ability to navigate through the world of basketball as a black female athlete.

Inspiring!

Dawn Staley is an inspiring person, a brilliant coach and a wonderful student of human nature. In this memoir, she is candid she is clear and she really gives us a sense for what it takes to become great at anything! I recommend this book highly to anyone with aspirations in any field, particularly women of color and girls.

I loved the honesty and frankness that Dawn Staley shared with us!

I enjoyed learning more about the unrated player and coach Dawn Staley! Truly a remarkable and humble woman!

Dawn’s authenticity

This is a great book to listen to. Sports, family, and faith! Her coaching stories made me really stay focused.

More than a book about basketball

Dawn Staley has written a playbook
of life lessons through her experiences in her basketball journey.
What a gift she is.

A Good Read

I enjoyed listening to Coach's journey to success, her call to blaze a path for those women who will follow.

Blessed Story

I loved every bit of your life story. I got sad when she talks about her mom and her illness. My mom had dementia and had similar instances. Norph (lol) Philly and Mama raised a great one! God bless you Dawn!