The White House hosted not one, but two NCAA championship teams Tuesday when the South Carolina women’s and UConn men’s basketball teams visited with President Joe Biden to celebrate their 2024 national titles.
Up first was South Carolina, which defeated Caitlin Clark and Iowa in April for the program’s third national championship since 2017. Dawn Staley, who coached all three championship teams, joined Biden hand-in-hand to walk to the ceremony in the White House’s East Room.
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 10: U.S. President Joe Biden and South Carolina Gamecocks Head Coach Dawn Staley arrive for a celebration of the 2023-2024 University of South Carolina Gamecocks Women’s Basketball NCAA championship team in the East Room at the White House on September 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Gamecocks ended their season undefeated and beat the Iowa Hawkeyes 87-75 for their third NCAA Championship with Head Coach Dawn Staley. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) (Andrew Harnik via Getty Images)
There, Biden was presented with a No. 46 South Carolina jersey with a nod to his status as the 46th U.S. president.
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 10: U.S. President Joe Biden holds up a team jersey given to him during an event to celebrate the 2023-2024 University of South Carolina Gamecocks Women’s Basketball NCAA championship team in the East Room at the White House on September 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Gamecocks ended their season undefeated and beat the Iowa Hawkeyes 87-75 for their third NCAA Championship with Head Coach Dawn Staley. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) (Andrew Harnik via Getty Images)
Biden praised South Carolina for helping raise the profile of women’s sports during the ceremony.
“I think it’s fair to say everyone, everyone watches women’s sports now,” Biden said. “When new fans watch for the first time, when young girls see their idols, they see the power of your example.”
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 10: U.S. President Joe Biden, accompanied by South Carolina Gamecocks Head Coach Dawn Staley (R), speaks during an event to celebrate the 2023-2024 University of South Carolina Gamecocks Women’s Basketball NCAA championship team in the East Room at the White House on September 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Gamecocks ended their season undefeated and beat the Iowa Hawkeyes 87-75 for their third NCAA Championship with Head Coach Dawn Staley. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) (Andrew Harnik via Getty Images)
He then posed for a photo with members of the team.
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 10: U.S. President Joe Biden poses for a photograph during an event to celebrate the 2023-2024 University of South Carolina Gamecocks Women’s Basketball NCAA championship team in the East Room at the White House on September 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Gamecocks ended their season undefeated and beat the Iowa Hawkeyes 87-75 for their third NCAA Championship with Head Coach Dawn Staley. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) (Andrew Harnik via Getty Images)
South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn (D) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) were on hand to celebrate the Gamecocks.
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 10: Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) (L) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) speak during an event to celebrate the 2023-2024 University of South Carolina Gamecocks Women’s Basketball NCAA championship team in the East Room at the White House on September 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Gamecocks ended their season undefeated and beat the Iowa Hawkeyes 87-75 for their third NCAA Championship with Head Coach Dawn Staley. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) (Andrew Harnik via Getty Images)
Later in the day, Biden hosted the UConn men, who secured their second consecutive national championship with a win over Purdue in April’s national title game. Biden escorted head coach Dan Hurley to the East Room for the ceremony.
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 10: U.S. President Joe Biden and Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley arrive for a celebration of the 2023-2024 University of Connecticut Huskies Men’s Basketball NCAA championship team in the East Room of the White House on September 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Huskies beat the Purdue Boilermakers 75-60 for their sixth NCAA Championship and their second championship in a row. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) (Andrew Harnik via Getty Images)
Guards Stephon Castle and Cam Spencer were among the UConn players in attendance. Both were selected in June’s NBA Draft.
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 10: Guard Stephon Castle (L) and Guard Cam Spencer (R) arrive for a celebration of the 2023-2024 University of Connecticut Huskies Men’s Basketball NCAA championship team in the East Room of the White House on September 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Huskies beat the Purdue Boilermakers 75-60 for their sixth NCAA Championship and their second championship in a row. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) (Andrew Harnik via Getty Images)
Center Donovan Clingan, who, like Castle was a lottery pick in the draft, presented Biden with his No. 46 UConn jersey.
“Clearly, you must have something in the water up there,” Biden said in a nod to a program that now has six national championships.
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 10: Center Donovan Clingan (L) presents U.S. President Joe Biden with a team jersey during a celebration of the 2023-2024 University of Connecticut Huskies Men’s Basketball NCAA championship team in the East Room of the White House on September 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Huskies beat the Purdue Boilermakers 75-60 for their sixth NCAA Championship and their second championship in a row. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) (Andrew Harnik via Getty Images)
Biden then showed off his new gear for the cameras.
US President Joe Biden holds up a jersey given to him during an event to celebrate the University of Connecticut men’s basketball team for their 2023-2024 championship season, in the East Room of the White House on September 10, 2024, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew ANGERER / AFP) (Photo by DREW ANGERER/AFP via Getty Images) (DREW ANGERER via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 10: U.S. President Joe Biden reacts as he is given a team jersey during a celebration of the 2023-2024 University of Connecticut Huskies Men’s Basketball NCAA championship team in the East Room of the White House on September 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Huskies beat the Purdue Boilermakers 75-60 for their sixth NCAA Championship and their second championship in a row. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) (Andrew Harnik via Getty Images)
