WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden honored 2024 NCAA basketball champions South Carolina and Connecticut at the White House on Tuesday, celebrating the two powerhouse programs' latest national titles.
South Carolina went 38-0 in its last women's title. It was coach Dawn Staley's third championship with the Gamecocks since 2017. Biden applauded South Carolina for ushering in an era of growing interest in women's sports.
South Carolina's title game against Iowa drew more viewers than this year's men's championship game, averaging 18.7 million viewers on ABC and ESPN and peaking at 24 million viewers.
“I think it's fair to say that everyone watches women's sports now,” Biden said. “When new fans see them for the first time, when young girls see their idols, they see the power of their example.”
Later, at a separate celebration for the University of Connecticut men's team, Biden marveled at the success of the Huskies team, which included four first-round picks in the last NBA draft. UConn coach Dan Hurley's team went 37-3 and won its second straight title.
“Clearly, there must be something in the water up there,” said Biden, who also noted that 11 athletes who competed in this summer's Paris Olympics had ties to UConn.
South Carolina’s flawless year came even after Staley lost all five starters from his 2023 team that was upset in the Final Four. The Gamecocks dominated during their historic season, leading the nation in scoring defense, margin of victory and blocked shots.
For UConn, it was the school's sixth men's national title. They joined the 2006-07 Florida Gators and the 1991-92 Duke Blue Devils as the third team to repeat since John Wooden's dynasty at UCLA in the 1960s and 1970s.
Hurley turned down an offer to coach the Los Angeles Lakers this summer and signed a six-year, $50 million contract to remain at UConn. He said his goal now is to win a third straight title. No men's program has achieved a three-peat since UCLA won seven straight titles from 1967-73.
It was South Carolina's first visit to the White House. Staley and the Gamecocks did not go to the White House after the 2017 and 2022 championships. Vice President Kamala Harris visited the team while in Columbia, South Carolina, earlier this year.
Staley, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and coach of the U.S. women's basketball team in Tokyo three years ago, most recently served as a member of the presidential delegation to the Paris Olympics.
Tuesday's ceremony was attended by several prominent current and former South Carolina politicians, including Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, Democratic Rep. James Clyburn and former Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, who is now a senior adviser to the president.
Biden joked that South Carolina officials could face fierce competition if the popular Staley gave politics a try.
“All those in office in South Carolina, she better stay in training and not run,” Biden said of Staley.
