Raven Johnson first Gamecock selected with first round pick in 2026 WNBA Draft
South Carolina point guard Raven Johnson was selected by the Indiana Fever with the No. 10 overall pick in the first round of the WNBA Draft on Monday night.
Johnson was the first Gamecock — and one of three total — selected Monday in the 2026 draft. She was also the program’s first guard selected in the first round since Zia Cooke in 2023.
Johnson will reunite her with her former South Carolina teammate Aliyah Boston with the Fever.
“You dream of moments like this as a little girl,” Johnson told ESPN’s Holly Rowe. “You watch people before you that get drafted and just to hear to my name called is a blessing.”
There aren’t many players who saw their draft stock rise as much as Johnson did this season.
Johnson’s senior season was highlighted by All-American honors from the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, The Associated Press (third team) and U.S. Basketball Writers Association (honorable mention).
Johnson was also named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. She’s the fifth Gamecock to win the award and the first guard since Georgia’s Que Morrison won (alongside USC’s Aliyah Boston) in 2021. Johnson also earned All-SEC second team and All-SEC defensive team selections.
The Atlanta product enjoyed somewhat of an offensive renaissance this season. Johnson averaged career-highs in scoring (9.9 points per game), field goal percentage (48.6%) and 3-point percentage (39.8%). Her playmaking skills continued to improve this year, as did her ability to conduct an offense. Johnson averaged a career-high 5.1 assists per game.
In total, Johnson leaves South Carolina with 154 games played during her five years. Only Victaria Saxton has played more games in her career for the Gamecocks in program history. She won two national championships, went to five straight Final Fours and was part of three SEC Tournament championships during her time with the Gamecocks.
Johnson averaged 6.7 points, four rebounds, four assists and 1.5 steals during her career with South Carolina.
Madina Okot to Atlanta
South Carolina center Madina Okot was selected by the Atlanta Dream with the No. 13 pick Monday.
She was also the program’s first post player to be selected in the first round of the WNBA Draft since Kamilla Cardoso in 2024.
“I’m so excited to be here today,” Okot said. “Just getting drafted, it’s a dream come true. I’m so excited that I’m going to be able to compete against the greatest players that I’ve been watching, I’ve been looking up to growing up.”
Okot played just one year with the Gamecocks after transferring in for the 2025-26 season. The Kenya native put together strong results in her senior year. Okot received an All-SEC second-team selection and was a finalist for the Lisa Leslie Center of the Year Award.
The 6-foot-6 center averaged a double-double with 12.8 points and an SEC-leading 10.6 rebounds per game this season. Both were career-bests.
Ta’Niya Latson to Los Angeles
USC guard Ta’Niya Latson was drafted Monday by the Los Angeles Sparks with the No. 20 overall pick in the second round.
“It’s just a surreal moment,” Latson said. “It’s a dream come true. LA is a great city. I love the culture that they have there. I’m excited to meet my coaches, my teammates. I’m just ready to get to work.”
Latson, who transferred from FSU to the Gamecoccks, made an immediate impact during her lone season with South Carolina. She started in all 35 games she played in and averaged 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.7 steals per game.
This story was originally published April 13, 2026 at 8:05 PM.
