Raven Johnson was the star of the show, but she was the last to know. After being named Regional MVP for South Carolina, her surprised reaction captured the hearts of fans. 'Wait. Me?' she asked, immediately deflecting the praise to her teammates.

The South Carolina Gamecocks marched into the Final 4 round, handing a 78-52 deficit to TCU under Johnson’s leadership. Her relentless play earned praise, but the Senior Guard could hardly believe the award was hers.

"I was like, 'Wait. Me?' I was actually giving it to my teammates like Gotti, Joyce, Ta'Niya,” Johnson said postgame, after being named the Regional 4 Most Outstanding Player. “I wouldn't get that award without my teammates. It's a team thing. Everybody won Most Outstanding Player."

Averaging 10.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assists for the season, Johnson’s scoring prowess may be less than that of Joyce Edwards or Agot Makeer. But the team couldn’t have reached the Final 4 for the 6^th consecutive time without Johnson’s elite defense.

As a 5-year veteran, the 5’9 Gamecocks’ Guard’s leadership and experience were exceptionally crucial against TCU's Marta Suarez and Olivia Miles. And no one knows this better than the coach herself.

Dawn Staley on Raven Johnson

As the only player who stayed after others transitioned into the WNBA, Johnson is the connector that holds the team together. And coach Staley has especially stressed it, highlighting that Johnson knows when to step up.

“There was a core group; they’ve all gone to the WNBA, which leaves Raven left just to play how she’s playing this year,” she said. “Scoring when we’ve needed it, facilitating when it’s needed. She did some things on the way in this journey of the NCAA Tournament.”

Against TSU, Raven has posted just 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. But Staley kept her on the hardwood for 31 minutes. Because she knew Johnson “was capable of playing at this level… by just being a giver, by just being a winner and making winning plays.”

Next, a major showdown looms as the Gamecocks face the undefeated UConn Huskies on April 4. What outcome do you think awaits Johnson and her team? Comment it down.

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Written by

Deblina Roy

Edited by

Ashvinkumar Patil