Raven Johnson and Te-Hina Paopao break down what 'Dawn's Daycare' is really like

Dawn Staley is a championship-winning women's basketball coach, but she's also a part-time daycare owner — at least, that's the narrative the South Carolina Gamecocks have shared for the last few seasons. The team (and their fans on social media) have often shared videos and photos from "Dawn's Daycare," complete with footage showing they actually take naps in the locker room.

But daycare isn't all fun and games, Raven Johnson and Te-Hina Paopao told reporters Thursday, April 3, in Tampa. "Coach tells us when we're getting a little too loose and that we need to tighten up," Johnson said. "She knows when we're loose and she knows when we're right, and I think it's a balance."

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Paopao agreed and noted that while Dawn's Daycare is funny for the rest of us, for the team it's a little deeper. "She's done a really job this year — I think last year she was learning about it, and she knows that our attention spans are very short and you've got to get it all in when everyone's paying attention. She's told the [other] coaches that, 'Hey, they're gonna go wild, so get to your point.'"

"She's just done a really good job of balancing it and helping us out," she continued. 

And it turns out the players aren't the only ones who can relax and have fun. "She's joined us in some of our childish moments as well," Paopao added. "Sometimes she starts it as well."

The Gamecocks will face off against the Texas Longhorns at the Amalie Arena on Friday, April 4.