Raven Johnson’s biggest wins go beyond basketball as South Carolina preps for fifth straight Final Four

It was clear Thursday as the junior guard smiled broadly, playfully tapped head coach Dawn Staley, whispered something into her ear and seemed to genuinely enjoy the moment. Sitting comfortably between her legendary coach and her teammate Te-Hina Paopao, Johnson seemed unbothered by the packed room of media members asking questions.

Johnson has overcome so much — she experienced the heartbreak of losing in the Final Four two years ago and the euphoria of winning a national championship last year. The talented South Carolina guard has been simultaneously scrutinized and saluted during an exhilarating career that has brought her to a familiar place for the fourth consecutive season.

---

Order ‘Rare Gems’ and save 30%

Howard Megdal, founder and editor of The Next and The IX, released his latest book on May 7, 2024. This deeply reported story follows four connected generations of women’s basketball pioneers, from Elvera “Peps” Neuman to Cheryl Reeve and from Lindsay Whalen to Sylvia Fowles and Paige Bueckers.

If you enjoy his coverage of women’s basketball every Wednesday at The IX, you will love “Rare Gems: How Four Generations of Women Paved the Way for the WNBA.” Click the link below to order and enter MEGDAL30 at checkout.

---

She’s endured her share of criticism but was never crushed by it. Instead, she rose above the noise, persevered through adversity, and authenticated her greatness through grit, effort, tenacity and leadership.

“Coach Staley always says to me that if you ain’t got no haters, you ain’t popping, so that motivates me,” Johnson told reporters. “My parents and my teammates tell me don’t listen to these people because it’s moments where I cry when I do listen to them. I mean, I’m human. I feel like some stuff they say are cruel, like they say some crazy stuff that I would never think people would say to other people.”

Some say Johnson isn’t scoring enough for their liking. She keeps winning. Others say Johnson isn’t a consistent outside shooting threat. She keeps winning.

A few say South Carolina has appeared vulnerable during this NCAA tournament run. The Gamecocks continue to win.

Notice a pattern?

After playing two games as a freshman, the Gamecocks have done nothing but win with Johnson in the lineup — a 106-4 overall record with three SEC regular-season and tournament titles, a national championship, and three Final Four in her three full seasons on the court. Johnson was also a member of the Gamecocks’ 2022 national championship team.

Johnson averages 2.8 assists per game overall, increasing to 3.13 during SEC play. She led the conference with a program-record 3.33 assist-to-turnover ratio, including seven games without a turnover. South Carolina is 37-0 when Johnson finished with five or more assists.

“I feel like people expect certain things of her, and what she does for [the] team is more than enough,” South Carolina senior guard Bree Hall told The Next during locker room access. “I don’t know where this narrative has come from, where she needs to have 150 points every game and all these different things like that’s never really been her game. She’s our floor general. She is a true point guard. Her ability to pass is incredible, and she does a great job. I love her to death. She’s an incredible player.”

As South Carolina prepares for a fourth meeting against rival Texas on Friday at 7 p.m. in a national semifinal at Amalie Arena, Johnson is poised to create more history along with Hall and Sania Fagan, who have each known nothing but getting to play in the sport’s ultimate showcase event. Two more victories would make them the first trio of Gamecocks in program history to win three NCAA titles — and the only non-UConn trio this century to pull it off.

Ironically, South Carolina’s three losses this season came against teams now in the Final Four. Overall No. 1 seed UCLA meets Connecticut in the nightcap. It’s almost perfect in some ways, as South Carolina has evolved into a stronger version of itself following each setback. Since dropping an 86-57 decision to Connecticut, the Gamecocks have won 11 straight contests, nine by double-digits. What’s scary is the Gamecocks believe they can play better.

“I don’t think we have played our best basketball yet in the tournament,” Johnson said. “We have been fighting for wins. It hasn’t been cute, but it hasn’t been bad either. So, I feel like we haven’t played our best basketball. So hopefully, tomorrow we can get a little glimpse of that.”

Johnson’s evolution into an impenetrable defensive force is a passion and patience masterclass resonating across generations. She’s a throwback who enjoys doing all the little things that contribute to South Carolina’s success. Though she scored just 13 points during the Gamecocks’ run to the Final Four, Johnson has curated a gallery of moments worthy of any museum wall.

---

Want even more women’s sports in your inbox?

Subscribe now to our sister publication The IX and receive our independent women’s sports newsletter six days a week. Learn more about your favorite athletes and teams around the world competing in soccer, tennis, basketball, golf, hockey and gymnastics from our incredible team of writers.

Readers of The Next now save 50% on their subscription to The IX.

---

“Overcoming adversity,” Johnson told reporters when asked what she was most proud of during her career. “I used to be a person that listened to naysayers and stuff like that, of how to critique me. Like Coach said, I’m learning how not to care and that I’m a winner. I do whatever it takes to win. So, overcoming adversity and knowing who I am and not putting myself in a box.”

During the regionals last weekend in Birmingham, Johnson was clutch when the Gamecocks needed it. When it was closing time against Maryland and Duke, Johnson took on the role of bouncer, escorting both teams out of the NCAA tournament with critical defensive plays that have been her signature.

Against Maryland, while defending an inbound pass with 35 seconds remaining and South Carolina protecting a precarious four-point lead, Johnson got her fingers on the ball. The ball was redirected back out of bounds, hitting Maryland guard Kaylene Smikle‘s finger while standing out of bounds. It was instinctive, as Johnson used her quick hands to make a decisive defensive stand. Earlier in the fourth quarter, Johnson grabbed two offensive rebounds and threaded a pass that led to a Chloe Kitts basket.

Championship habits on full display.

Two days later, against Duke in the Elite Eight, she hustled back on defense and got in position to steal a pass after losing the ball on offense. As she rushed up the court to begin a possible fast break, Johnson instead slowed down and brought the ball back out to run more clock. Johnson recognized the hectic situation and called for calm.

Another example of shining during winning time was when she made a pair of foul shots during an 8-0 run to start the final frame in which South Carolina entered trailing by four points. In addition to her steal, Johnson grabbed two key rebounds in the final 2:45 that helped the Gamecocks hold off Duke.

---

Add Locked On Women’s Basketball to your daily routine

Here at The Next, in addition to the 24/7/365 written content our staff provides, we also host the daily Locked On Women’s Basketball podcast. Join us Monday through Saturday each week as we discuss all things WNBA, collegiate basketball, basketball history and much more. Listen wherever you find podcasts or watch on YouTube.

---

Johnson has earned respect from opponents as well. As the old playground saying goes, game recognizes game. Texas sophomore guard Madison Booker recalls watching Johnson compete early in her college career when Booker was still in high school and playing AAU.

“I think people forget the impact that Raven has on that team,” Booker told reporters. “She’s poised as a point guard … The way she runs her team, it’s perfect. That’s why they are so successful. She’s a hard player to stop … She runs the team effectively and doesn’t get sped up. She does her job and is just a great player. Definitely a fan.”

Regardless of how the victories have looked for the Gamecocks, they have made the big plays at the right time to secure another practice, pregame meal and game.

When Johnson isn’t locking down defenders as a Gamecocks’ seat-belt gang member (an affectionate nickname applied to defensive stalwarts) she’s enjoying life, having fun and paying it forward to her younger teammates.

“Raven is just hilarious,” a smiling Hall said. “She’s so outgoing. She’s so free; she’s just truly who she is and very authentic about who she is. She’s always making jokes, laughing, and being funny in the locker room. She’s just always bringing good energy.”

It rubs off on her teammates. She has been instrumental in helping South Carolina’s younger guards develop. Sophomore guard Tessa Johnson‘s face lit up when asked how Johnson has impacted her growth. Freshman guard Maddy McDaniel and forward Joyce Edwards have absorbed knowledge from Johnson like a sponge. As she sat in the corner of the crowded South Carolina locker room, McDaniel expressed gratitude for Johnson.

Last week in Birmingham, Johnson reflected on when she was the freshman looking up to the upperclassmen. She has witnessed a generation of excellence come through Columbia. This has allowed Johnson to grow into a more intentional presence that understands each of her teammates. She always knows what to say.

“These years have gone by so fast,” Johnson said to The Next. “I remember when I stepped foot here on South Carolina’s campus, and the older players were teaching me the ropes and stuff about this program. Now, I will be the one they will be calling. I was talking to Joyce [Edwards] about how she had been double-teamed, and I was just telling her the post players that came before her that got double-teamed as Aaliyah [Boston], Kamilla [Cardosa], and A’ja [Wilson]. You’re in that company getting double-teamed, and she said, ‘I don’t know what to do when I get doubled.’ I told her, ‘That’s why you have people who’ve been through it—reach out and ask them how they handled being double-teamed.”

---

Your business can reach over 3 million women’s sports fans every single month!

Here at The Next and The IX, our audience is a collection of the smartest, most passionate women’s sports fans in the world. If your business has a mission to serve these fans, reach out to our team at editors@thenexthoops.com to discuss ways to work together.

---

Beyond her skills and championships, Johnson’s vulnerability, humor, strength and maturity have helped her grow and inspired others. Her journey of persistence acts as a mirror, allowing everyone to see their struggles and victories in her story.

When she signed with the Gamecocks following a successful high school career in which she was named a two-time Atlanta Tipoff Club Miss Georgia Basketball, she had big goals. But even with her competitive mindset and winning pedigree, reaching four consecutive Final Fours seemed improbable.

Yet, she is back on college basketball’s biggest stage — her second home.

“I didn’t expect all of this — maybe one national championship during my career,” Johnson said. “It’s a blessing. Glory to God. But with my teammates, our staff, and Coach Staley, she builds pro habits and instills a winning mentality, toughness, and that mindset of just being a dog. I didn’t expect all this, but it’s truly a blessing.”

The Next’s Wilton Jackson contributed reporting to this story.