Raven Johnson, South Carolina’s experienced point guard, has decided to return for her final season of eligibility. On Tuesday, she announced her plans to stay with the Gamecocks for the 2025-26 season through a social media post.
The announcement follows shortly after the news that her former high school teammate, Ta’Niya Latson, the nation’s leading scorer last year, committed to South Carolina after transferring from Florida State. Johnson celebrated Latson’s decision, posting on social media, “LET’S RUN IT BACK TWIN!!!! @NiyaLatson” and “Always got my twin back!!! #REUNITED.”
A member of the 2021 recruiting class, Johnson will be a redshirt senior. She joined South Carolina after missing most of her freshman season due to injury, which granted her an extra year of eligibility. With Johnson’s return, she will help anchor the backcourt, which will lose key players Te-Hina Paopao and Bree Hall. The Gamecocks will also benefit from the addition of Latson, along with returning guards MiLaysia Fulwiley, Tessa Johnson, and Maddy McDaniel. South Carolina is also bringing in new recruits, including wings Ayla McDowell and Agot Makeer from the 2025 class.
Coach Dawn Staley expressed her excitement about Johnson’s return: “Raven makes us a better basketball team. She’s a winner, and her return increases our chances of winning more games.”
Johnson has been a key player for South Carolina, having appeared in 114 games and starting 77. A cornerstone of one of the most successful recruiting classes in the program’s history, she has earned All-SEC honors three times. Her best season came in 2023-24, when she helped lead the Gamecocks to a national championship while averaging 8 points, 4.8 assists, and 5.2 rebounds. In the 2024-25 season, she posted averages of 4.9 points, 2.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds.
