Staley’s next goal: the written word

In a career that has taken her around the world, Dawn Staley has played basketball, coached the sport, won two Olympic gold medals and created a foundation that carries her name.

Now she can add another item to her burgeoning resume: author.

Staley, a guard on the U.S. women’s team that will play in the Athens Olympics in August, has written a series of four books aimed at teenage girls.

They’re based loosely on her life and talk about the challenges — and joys — of growing up.

“It’s just going to be a tool for young girls to use for everyday life,” Staley said. “There are things I went through as a teenager that little girls are still going through, still have difficulty living through.

“I want to let them know that it’s still OK. I’ve made mistakes. It’s what you do after you make the mistakes or when that situation is presented to you again. That’s what matters.”

Staley, 34, has plenty to share.

She grew up in the tough streets of North Philadelphia, the youngest of five children. Playing sports with the boys helped keep her on the straight and narrow in an area that had gangs, drugs, prostitution, fights and shootings.

“I saw it all,” Staley said. “It’s probably the same thing happening to our youth today. Hopefully, I can lend a ray of hope — you stick with things, surely success will come your way.

“It has to do with passion, finding your passion. What is it that moves you.”

Staley’s passion was obvious early. As a youngster, she coveted only one luxury: the best sneakers her family could afford.

“I probably spent what a whole wardrobe was worth on one pair of tennis shoes,” she said. “I didn’t care what I looked like from the ankles up, as long as I had nice shoes. That’s what my mother provided for me.

“I got my wants. The necessities could wait.”

Staley took those shoes to the asphalt courts and thrived. A mere mite against her bigger, stronger opponents — Staley is only 5-feet-6 today — she relied quickness, instincts and ambition to hold her own.

What followed was the stuff of dreams: an All-American career at Virginia, gold medals galore in international competition, including the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, and a stellar professional career.

Staley is in her sixth season with the WNBA’s Charlotte Sting. For the last four years, she also has been the women’s basketball coach at Temple, compiling a 74-47 record with two NCAA tournament appearances.

Away from the court, Staley charms people with her wit and impish grin.

So yes, she can speak with authority to youngsters. She has done it with the Dawn Staley Foundation, which she started in Philadelphia in 1996 to offer athletic and academic opportunities for at-risk youth. Soon, she’ll do so with her books.

“Knowledge is no good if you don’t share it with the world,” said Angelia Nelson, executive director of Staley’s foundation. “Don’t keep what you’ve been taught to yourself. That’s basically what Dawn is doing. She’s sharing what she has learned.”