Florida rapper Plies gives gifts to Dawn Staley and South Carolina women's basketball after national title

A National Championship win for Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks wouldn't be complete without a special gift from a Florida fan favorite.

Algernod Lanier Washington is better known by the world as the rapper Plies. But growing up in Fort Myers, he was known as "Nod" on the football team at Fort Myers High, a graduate of the Class of 1994.

Plies shared a video to his social media accounts in the days following the conclusion of South Carolina's perfect season and 87-75 defeat of Iowa featuring Staley with an armful of pink, red (for this purpose, garnet), and black trucker hats.

Tongue out, Staley gave a high-pitched cackle just like the Florida native's while showing off her new loot:

"Look who came to town. Look who came to support with gifts in hand."

"Plies, you our number one guy," Staley said. "We appreciate you. We love you − for life!"

The new headwear, featuring embroidered patches printed with hearts and the word 'LOVED,' was a fitting representation for Plies' devotion to Staley and her legacy.

Plies announced his first merchandise drop, the " 'Loved' Collection," with company King Circle back in August on his Instagram account.

"The Most Talented Woman I know!!" Plies posted in his Instagram caption. "She Does Great Impersonations As Well!! Was Able To Get The King Circle Hats Over To The Entire Team & Staff!"

Plies took to X again on Thursday asking which businesses in Columbia and the surrounding areas could offer “pampering” services from salons and spas for mani-pedis to car retailers and restauranteurs.

”I’m Tryin To Roll The Red Carpet Long As We Not Violating NCAA Rules!” Plies wrote.

After the victory on Sunday, Plies told his Instagram followers in a video that he "couldn't get online" because he cried for 47 minutes.

Where it all began

Plies made the trip to Columbia, S.C., for his first game at Colonial Life Arena this February after Staley took to X to accept his invitation to attend one of his shows back in December:

"I'M THERE LIKE SWIMWEAR!! #colastandup"

"That laugh?!!! Contagious.....love you @Plies!!" Staley wrote, asking the 44 year-old to "tear the roof off" of Colonial Life at his Jan. 13 concert date.

"I think she important for the culture," Plies told sideline reporter Autumn Johnson. "I think she represents not only the Xs and Os in being a great head coach, but what she does with these young ladies away from the game of basketball I consider amazing."

"When I say this is an all-star cast, it's an all-star cast from top to bottom. I think in this team, we're going anywhere from 10 to 11 deep in regards to the rotation, so the only thing that can stop them is them."

A staple in the culture of Florida and the rap scene himself, Plies left behind his football career and dropped out of college at Miami University in Ohio to found a record company with his stepbrother, dropping his first album about a decade later with hits like “Hypnotized" and "Shawty" with Tallahassee native T-Pain.

Fans on social media loving Plies and Staley combo

His 1.6 million fans between X to TikTok − not to mention 10.3 million and counting on Instagram − were all for Plies' continued support of Staley, the first Black Division I basketball coach, men or women, to go undefeated.

"Plies don't play when it comes to Coach Staley!" TikTok user Nikki Rupert wrote.

Stayce Yvonne doubled down: "Baby it's hell or jail behind Dawn when it comes to Plies."

User The Raven225 was one of many fans to note that Staley had Plies' "signature" laugh "down pat."

"She got his laugh and how he be walking. Coach Staley got those ball caps tight, from her #1 guy for life. Plies is a great guy and loves what he can do for his special friends," Carla Taylor shared on TikTok.

"Congrats, coach."

Emilee Smarr is a sports reporter for the Palm Beach Post. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Why Plies is the "No.1 guy" for Dawn Staley and South Carolina women's basketball