How Raven Johnson met the moment in South Carolina WBB’s win over UConn
Raven Johnson is always on a mission.
The way she charges down court to take advantage of fast-break opportunities. The way she crowds opposing players on defense, crouched low with her eyes darting from theirs to the ball and back again. The way she changes the trajectory of a game with her contagious energy.
It’s her superpower, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said. The Gamecocks are playing with faster pace than any USC team in the Staley era since HerHoopStats started tracking in 2010. This works in Johnson’s and South Carolina’s favor, especially on defense (she leads the Gamecocks in steals by nearly double digits with 48 on the season).
But on offense, that fast pace can sometimes become the team’s Kryptonite.
Those who watched No. 1 USC’s 83-65 drubbing of No. 11 UConn saw a little bit of both. When asked after the game how her speed helped South Carolina maintain wire-to-wire control of the game, Johnson said Staley actually advised her to slow down a little bit.
“I didn’t think she was aware of our shooters on the wing,” Staley said. “She wasn’t aware of Ashlyn (Watkins) streaking down behind her. It’s those types of things that she needed to slow down and get herself options just in case the ball isn’t going in.”
After scoring two points in the first half, the third quarter went more Johnson’s way, as she scored eight points and snagged two steals. By game’s end, Johnson achieved her first career double-double against the Huskies with 10 points and a career- and team-high 12 rebounds. She also had five assists and two steals.
She proved why she deserves to be included on national award watch lists with the best guards in college basketball, as her coach has campaigned for.
“She’s coming into her own,” Staley said ahead of South Carolina’s game against Auburn last week. “I think a lot of people don’t realize Raven’s really young. She’s young in college basketball terms. ... For as young as she is, the impact that she’s made. I will say this, I do think her name should be on some of these national lists.”
To think this season of watching Johnson almost never happened is a travesty. After a video of Iowa guard Caitlin Clark waving Johnson off beyond the 3-point line at the Final Four went viral, she spent a lot of days crying. She admitted to Andscape last month that the ordeal made her want to quit basketball.
“I was like, ‘Dang, is this game for me?’ ” Johnson said.
She has proven to herself and the world that this sport is for her and that she’s for this sport. Watching Johnson play basketball is an exercise in joy.
Her mindset for for 2023-24 has been all about making it a “revenge season.” Back in September she said the mantra was like an apology to herself for falling short of expectations last year.
But there seems to be no remorse in her game this season. Only action. Fast and unflinching.
This story was originally published February 12, 2024 at 7:00 AM.
