LOS ANGELES — Led by host Serena Williams, The ESPYS celebrated a landmark year for women’s sports, with Simone Biles, A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Dawn Staley and JuJu Watkins among the honorees Thursday night.
Staley, coach of the national champion South Carolina women’s basketball team, received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance for both her support and fight for equality for women’s sports and for her leadership in the fight against cancer. Her friend, Tennessee standout Nikki McCray-Penson, died of breast cancer and Staley’s sister was diagnosed with leukemia. Staley was motivated by their battles to become an advocate for cancer research.
“I must confess I feel a little undeserving of this recognition. Past recipients of the Jimmy V Perseverance Award have faced incredible challenges and proven themselves as true warriors,” Staley said. “I have merely been a spectator to such immense courage and resilience.”
Staley’s Gamecocks also won the best team award.
Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces won as best women’s sports athlete and as best WNBA player.
“It’s crazy to think that a young girl that didn’t even want to play basketball is now up in the running for even one ESPY,” she said in videotaped remarks.
Biles earned best comeback athlete weeks before she…
