The fight is on.

South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley was not thrilled at the sight of her former player and current Chicago Sky star Kamilla Cardoso getting denied at the rim by the Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson — another one of Staley’s star pupils with the Gamecocks.

“Oh no, don’t do that to Kamilla! Do not do that to Kamilla,” Staley exclaimed while watching the play unfold in a 95-83 Aces win. “I’m gonna fight, imma fight, imma fight, I wanna fight!”

Chicago Sky center Kamilla Cardoso (10) holding a basketball, looking for an open teammate during a game at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis. 
Chicago Sky center Kamilla Cardoso. Jacob Musselman / USA TODAY NETWORK
Cardoso dominated in the college ranks — winning two national championships under Staley and racking up numerous individual accolades — before being the third pick in the first round of the 2024 WNBA Draft.

Since being drafted, Cardoso has played in 10 WNBA games, averaging 8.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per contest.


Kamilla Cardoso celebrates after winning the 2024 NCAA championship with South Carolina. AP


A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces walks on the court during a break in the fourth quarter of a game against the Connecticut Sun at Michelob ULTRA Arena on June 21, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images
Wilson, who is a two-time WNBA MVP and won the 2018 Naismith College Player of the Year while playing for Staley, poured in 31 points, six rebounds and three assists on Thursday while the rookie Cardoso played 30 minutes and recorded five points, eight rebounds and three assists.

Wilson thought her former coach’s reaction was hilarious.

“It’s the groans and screams in the background, but @dawnstaley always told me don’t take any plays off…now she wanna fight,” Wilson wrote on X.

“Sorry bookie.”