Popular rapper, big Dawn Staley fan to attend South Carolina vs. UConn WBB game

Grammy nominated rapper Plies will attend No. 1 South Carolina’s game versus No. 11 UConn this Sunday, he announced via X (formerly Twitter) Monday.

“Dear @dawnstaley @GamecockWBB & Gamecock Nation,” Plies wrote in a post, “Put Me On Your Calendar Feb. 11th I’m Dere!!!! I Can’t Wait I Can’t Wait!!!!”

Plies has been a longtime fan of South Carolina women’s basketball and coach Dawn Staley. And his interactions with Staley and the team have gone viral this season.

In a video accompanying his post Monday, Plies said he decided to go to USC’s game versus UConn instead of the Super Bowl as he originally planned. He also said he plans to bring gifts for several of South Carolina’s players with him.

• A stick of butter for MiLaysia Fulwiley, whose nickname and Instagram handle is “laywitdabutter,” which derives from cheers fans have made for years in response to her impressive basketball moves on the court.

• A crock pot for point guard Raven Johnson. In a video reacting to South Carolina’s 76-70 win over LSU, Plies said he calls Johnson “Raven ‘Crock Pot’ Johnson. ...Because “Everything you put in that crock pot is what? Good. Everytime she shoots, I say what? ‘Good.’ Ha!”

• A dog bone for Chloe Kitts because she’s “that dawg!”

• A pair of green LaMello Ball shoes for guard Te-HIna Paopao after she wore green shoes in USC’s road win over LSU.

• An ice pack for Bree Hall because she’s “ice cold” and “clutch.”

• A bonnet for Kamilla Cardoso (who will miss the UConn game because of an obligation to Brazil Basketball).

• A fly swatter for Ashlyn Watkins, nicknamed “Ashlyn Swatkins” for her shot blocking skills.

• Plies also said he’ll bring a bottle of hot sauce Sunday. After USC’s LSU win, Plies said “I need us to put a little more hot sauce on that food now,” referring how close the score was between the Gamecocks and Tigers for the first three quarters.

“NOT THE SCOUTING REPORT!” coach Dawn Staley replied to Plies post about the LSU game. “But where is the lie?! We just ordered some TEXAS PETE!!”

Plies, born as Algernod Lanier Washington, grew up in East Dunbar, a historically Black neighborhood in Fort Myers, Florida. His stage name comes from slang used in his hometown referring to “big money drug dealers,” according to his website. After graduating from Fort Myers High School, Plies joined his older brother to run independent label Big Gates Records. Plies also played wide receiver at Miami University in Ohio from 1995-1997.

Since entering the music business, Plies has released multiple platinum and gold records. These include the 2008 track “Shawty,” “Bust it Baby Open Part 2,” “The Real Testament” and more. Plies received a Grammy nomination in 2011 for Rap Duo/Group Performance with the song “Lose My Mind” alongside Jeezy.