As the new college basketball season nears, so does Raven Johnson’s final chapter with South Carolina.
Although she had the opportunity to go pro, the senior guard chose to return for one last season with the Gamecocks. Johnson is making use of an extra year of eligibility after redshirting during her freshman campaign in 2021-2022 due to an early injury.
Now a key veteran for coach Dawn Staley, Johnson brings experience and leadership to the team. Over her career, she has appeared in 114 games, starting 77 of them.
Following the team’s first official practice on September 22, Staley expressed confidence in Johnson’s current form.
“I think she’s probably in the best, probably physical, mental (shape) like, just complete,” Staley said. “…We’d like for her to have gotten here a little sooner, but that’s her process. But we need her the most, the way she is right now for our team this year.”
As she prepares for her last run, Johnson said she feels noticeably different heading into this season.
“I’m very excited about my progression and what I’m seeing for myself,” she said. “A lot of work this summer and it’s showing.”
When asked what she focused on most during the offseason, Johnson didn’t hesitate.
“I’m about to put that ball in the basket,” she said.
Raven Johnson’s journey at South Carolina
Johnson had her strongest offensive output during the 2023-2024 season, her redshirt sophomore year. She averaged a career-best 8.1 points per game and posted personal highs in field goal percentage (44.3%) and effective field goal percentage (49.4%), earning All-SEC honors.
However, her production declined in the 2024-25 season. Offensively, it was her most challenging year — she averaged just 4.9 points per game, while her shooting percentages dropped to career lows: 35% from the field, 29.5% from three, and a 40.3% effective field goal percentage.
This season, she’s looking to bounce back and elevate her offensive game.
“I think this offseason, I was very much focused on details of scoring, really,” Johnson explained. “Being consistent…I feel like if I look for myself a little bit more, it will open up others. So working on my shot. I mean, when people sag off me, I’m ready to knock the shot down. So just little things like that. But really, just focusing on scoring.”
Despite the offensive dip, Johnson remains widely respected for her defensive skill set and her steady leadership running Staley’s system. Last season, she was named to the All-SEC Defensive Team, averaging 4.5 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and nearly a block per game.
She’s also etched her name into the South Carolina record books. Johnson ranks 10th all-time in program history with 410 career assists. In NCAA Tournament play, she holds the school records for most assists (54) and steals (30).
“It’s important for our point guards to have a voice on our teams,” said Staley. “Raven in her last season, she’s been in the gym, she’s been working. And not only do we need her voice, we need her example of how to play the position and how to run our basketball team, and she’s giving it her best shot.”
The road back to the national title
South Carolina is coming off a 35-4 season that ended with a national championship loss to UConn. The team reached its fifth consecutive Final Four and is looking to keep that streak alive — and take it a step further.
“That’s the goal, to get back to the national championship, and it’s very hard to get back there,” Johnson said. “So that’s what we’re doing in the summer, in the preseason. This preseason was very hard for us. The stuff we did is gonna prepare us for March Madness.”
