South Carolina guard Raven Johnson: 'Very proud of myself because a lot of people don't know what I went through'

With 53 seconds left in South Carolina’s showdown against Indiana in the Sweet Sixteen, the Gamecocks only held a two-point lead. Then, South Carolina sophomore Raven Johnson put the game on ice, draining a clutch 3-pointer from the left wing to give the Gamecocks a five-point lead.

Only a few moments later, South Carolina walked away with a 79-75 victory. With the win, the Gamecocks will advance to their fourth-straight Final Four. After the game, Johnson revealed how much the clutch moment meant to her.

“I’m very proud of myself because a lot of people don’t know what I went through last year and a lot of people would have quit basketball,” Johnson said. “I’m just proud of myself and how I faced adversity. And I’m just glad this season I’m showing people what I a really do.”

A year ago, Johnson would have been one of the last players for South Carolina to take a key 3-pointer. In the 2022-23 campaign, Johnson shot 24.1% from beyond the arc and only made 14 baskets from deep all season.

Raven Johnson has significantly improved her 3-point efficiency this season, connecting on 32.3% of her attempts from downtown. In South Carolina’s win over the Hoosiers, Johnson tallied 14 points, five rebounds and six assists while shooting 3-3 from deep.

“We were disciplined,” Johnson said. “We followed Coach [Dawn Staley’s] game plan. I think we trust one another. I mean, that’s what it’s all about. We have a strong bond. I feel in those moments, just be who you are and nobody can stop us but us.”

South Carolina on the cusp of making more history

The Gamecocks haven’t stopped themselves yet. The team is 35-0 this season and won their first two NCAA Tournament games by a combined 95 points. South Carolina will look to keep its March Madness run moving forward when the team faces off against No. 3 seed Oregon State on Sunday.

Since the Gamecocks reached the Elite Eight, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley will receive a $50,000 bonus. She’s now reeled in $240,000 in bonuses this season. She boasts the second-highest salary in women’s basketball, earning $3.1 million a year.

She’s earned every dollar. Staley has now led South Carolina to eight SEC regular season championships, eight SEC tournament championships, 11 Sweet Sixteens, five Final Fours and two NCAA championships.

Now, Staley will look to add another accomplishment to her résumé. With three more wins, South Carolina will become the first program to complete an entire season undefeated since UConn in the 2015-16 season.