Gamecock Digest

How Raven Johnson Has Grown Off The Court Since Last Year's Viral Final Four Moment

Andrew Lyon

Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Raven Johnson (25) hugs center Kamilla Cardoso (10)
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Raven Johnson (25) hugs center Kamilla Cardoso (10) / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Few players have undergone a stronger metamorphosis on South Carolina's women's basketball team than point guard Raven Johnson. Johnson's growth has taken place on two fronts: in terms of her on-court play and also in terms of her external demeanor, the latter of which Dawn Staley talked through in her press conference on Saturday afternoon.

"She was one that didn't really talk a whole lot. You really couldn't see her personality, and I do think with the successes that she's been having on the court, she feels a lot more comfortable to, you know, to share who she is. You know the fun-loving [side], like Raven's never had a bad day," Dawn explained. "She's [on] a pathway of who she wants to be, and she's unafraid to, you know, go out there to say or do some things that will rock you a little bit. It will make you laugh, but it is who she's becoming, and I love that about young people."

It's remarkable how cheerful Johnson has been throughout the whole season and in these past few days, considering the tough times she endured last offseason as she was put through a constant cycle of jokes and ridicule when a viral clip was posted of Caitlin Clark waving her off and not respecting her outside-shooting ability, something that played a role in the Gamecocks' 2023 Final Four loss against Iowa. It's something that Raven has since admitted made her contemplate leaving the sport altogether, but that it also might've been the best thing that ever happened to her. Staley gave a takeaway that people from any walk of life could live by.

"I think when you're embarrassed -- I think when we lost [last year to Iowa], like all of that, it makes you question [everything]. I mean, the game will do that to you, you know. Anything that you love and you're passionate about will make you question it at some point. And that is what you need for your breakthrough. And if you don't have enough power [and] strength, your breakthrough will never happen, but Raven's going to be a great player because she was able to breakthrough that moment and catapult her into that next level."

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Andrew Lyon
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