Raven Johnson from South Carolina has made the decision to choose a different club following her talk with her
As of now, Raven Johnson, the redshirt junior point guard for the South Carolina Gamecocks, has not announced a decision regarding her future with the team. Despite recent speculation, Johnson has neither confirmed plans to transfer nor declared for the WNBA Draft. Johnson, who suffered an ACL injury early in her freshman year, was granted a redshirt season, allowing her an additional year of eligibility. This means that although she has completed four years at South Carolina, she retains the option to return for a fifth season. During the team’s Senior Day celebrations, fans chanted “one more year,” expressing their hope for her return. Johnson responded to these sentiments by saying, “You never know, we’ve got to wait and see,” indicating that her decision is still pending. citeturn0search2 Head coach Dawn Staley has emphasized that the choice is entirely Johnson’s to make. Staley stated, “For me, it’s a personal choice, so I’m not going to push her either way. I’m just going to let her and her family decide what they want to do.” She acknowledged that while Johnson’s return would bolster the team’s prospects, the WNBA would also be a welcoming avenue for her talents. citeturn0search2 Throughout her tenure with the Gamecocks, Johnson has been instrumental in the team’s success. She leads the team in assists, averaging 2.9 per game, and in steals, with 1.6 per game. Her defensive prowess often positions her against the opponent’s top scorer, underscoring her value on the court. citeturn0search2 The timeline for Johnson’s decision remains uncertain. The WNBA Draft is scheduled for April 14, and the NCAA transfer portal opens on March 25, closing on April 23. Coach Staley has expressed the importance of timely decisions from players considering their futures to allow the coaching staff to navigate the transfer portal effectively. She mentioned, “Hopefully they’ll make a decision in a timely fashion so that we’ll know what we need when the transfer portal opens up and we can concentrate on that.” citeturn0search3 In summary, despite circulating rumors, Raven Johnson has not made any public declarations about transferring or entering the WNBA Draft. Both she and Coach Staley have indicated that the decision will be made thoughtfully, considering her personal and professional aspirations. Fans and analysts alike await her announcement, recognizing the significant impact it will have on the future dynamics of South Carolina women’s basketball. For more insights, you can watch Raven Johnson’s recent postgame interview:
