Gamecock Digest

Tessa Johnson Announces Arrival To Women's College Basketball With Career Day In National Title Game

Andrew Lyon

Apr 7, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Tessa Johnson (5) controls the ball and attempts to drive baseline against Iowa guard Caitlin Clark (22)
Apr 7, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Tessa Johnson (5) controls the ball and attempts to drive baseline against Iowa guard Caitlin Clark (22) / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

When someone tries to pick out a player who could have a breakout performance for their team in a national title game, typically, they'll stray away from freshmen due to the notion that freshmen tend to let the magnitude of the game affect them. Even if you're a South Carolina fan who believed one of Dawn Staley's freshman guards would make a sizeable impact against Iowa on Sunday, you likely went with MiLaysia Fulwiley, who had already proven she could step up in a championship setting against LSU in the SEC Tournament Title game. While Fulwiley had a solid outing against the Hawkeyes, it was her freshman counterpart, Tessa Johnson, who stole the show in Cleveland.

Johnson scored a career-high and team-high 19 points on an extremely efficient 63.6% shooting percentage from the floor, knocking down three shots from behind the arc and displaying a boatload of confidence in the shots she took. One could make a compelling argument that Tessa's performance was the difference in South Carolina hoisting the trophy, even though other players made significant contributions in different ways. All season long, it's been other freshmen, including MiLaysia, who've received a ton of national fanfare, but rising redshirt junior guard Raven Johnson made it clear in her post-game press conference appearance after the title game that she believes Tessa deserves to be mentioned in the same vein.

"When you talk about freshmen, I think [Tessa's] name should come up. It's just the stuff that she does. She's always ready for the moment when her number is called. She's always ready. I mean, I think every shot she puts up, [it's going to go] in. I mean, [it's] just what Tessa does. And on the defensive end, she takes pride on defense. And if you talk to her, she's like a sponge, like she gets in the gym. She works on her shot every day, and she wants to learn and she wants to grow. So when you talk about freshmen, Tessa Johnson's name should definitely be in the conversation."

Johnson might not possess the sheer speed, acceleration, and ball-handling that Fulwiley possesses, but with her shooting stroke, ability to get to her spot, and willingness to get better, the backcourt duo will be a fun one to watch when their time to shine eventually comes.

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Andrew Lyon
ANDREW LYON

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