Can you imagine Dawn Staley getting all emotional about a player? Well, she did, and it showcased how much she values Raven Johnson.

Johnson has been one of the Gamecocks’ most valuable players for four full seasons, and now the end of her collegiate career is inching closer. On February 26, she was one of the four seniors to be honored, ahead of the Gamecocks’ 112-71 win over Missouri. Following the game, Staley made a heartfelt confession detailing why she’ll miss Johnson the most.

The Gamecocks HC said, "Raven is just really consistent with how she comes in every day. She's incredibly funny without even trying. Some of the stuff that comes out of her mouth brings me joy ... she's just so mild-mannered, she doesn't have any ill will to her."

The 22-year-old has spent her whole career with coach Staley, building up a relationship that goes beyond the stats. The coach has repeatedly praised Johnson’s loyalty, consistency, and the “comfort level” she brings.

“She's a joy to be around... She'll actually say if something bothers her ... that's what I like about her; she knows who she is”, Staley added further. Highlighting that players like Johnson "always give you a boost knowing that if they're on the floor, we got a really good chance of winning. I'm going to miss that feeling."

When someone like Coach Staley takes notice, it means something. However, the Gamecocks’ coach isn’t the only one to have praised Johnson.

Raven Johnson Has Earned Praise From Other Notable Coaches

As per South Carolina’s records, Johnson has lost only 9 games in 5 years. And ranked opponents could only manage 38.4% shots with Johnson on the court, and 42.4% in her absence. She has won the SEC regular championship five times.

Following the Gamecocks' victory over Ole Miss on February 22, Johnson's rival coach, Yolett McPhee-McCuin, called her “the best point guard in the country”. Johnson is also one of the players whom the Missouri HC, Kellie Harper, loves watching. To her, the Gamecocks’ Point Guard is a "terrific basketball player".

For the season, Johnson is averaging 10 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists. But as McCuin has stated, “Sometimes you don’t see it in the scorebook, but what she does, you can’t teach.”

Do you agree with all these coaches?

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Written by

Deblina Roy

Edited by

Souvik Roy