South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley confirmed that starting point guard Raven Johnson missed practice on February 20 due to illness, though the expectation remains that she will be available for Sunday’s home game against No. 17 Ole Miss.
“Raven is a little bit under the weather so we just told her to just rest today,” Staley said.
Johnson was the only Gamecock absent from practice that day. She had already battled through the illness during Thursday’s 76-57 victory over Alabama, playing just 19 minutes — well below her season average of 28.9 minutes per game. She finished with two points and left for the locker room with just over five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter before returning to the bench shortly after. Staley clarified postgame that Johnson’s limited role was directly tied to how she was feeling, and expressed confidence she would be ready for Sunday when pressed on the matter.
Johnson’s mother, Kia, echoed that sentiment on social media after the win, writing: “Feel better Raven. Need that energy for Sunday!!!!!”
The Gamecocks are set to host Ole Miss on February 22 at noon ET on ESPN from Colonial Life Arena, with College GameDay broadcasting live from the venue beginning at 11 a.m.
Adhel Tac Remains Day-to-Day
Reserve forward and guard Adhel Tac is also dealing with a health setback, having missed three consecutive games. She dressed for the Tennessee game but did not play, and was listed as out for the LSU and Alabama contests. During practice on February 20, Tac was seen moving around the court on a scooter, no longer wearing the walking boot that had been on her left foot in previous days.
Staley described it as a lower-leg injury and said the training staff is still working through the details of her condition. “Still trying to figure it out,” Staley said, confirming Tac remains day-to-day.
The reserve averages 3.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in 11.3 minutes per game off the bench. Her absence adds to a season that has already seen Staley use seven different starting lineups, though the Gamecocks have returned to their customary starting five over the last three games with Ta’Niya Latson back to full health.
The official SEC injury report for Sunday’s game was scheduled for release at 8:10 p.m. ET on February 21.
