Tessa Johnson reflects on national championship journey in freshman season

South Carolina guard Tessa Johnson was able to help the Gamecocks win their third national championship in program history last season as a true freshman. Saving her best performances for the biggest stage with a career-high 19 points in a national title win over Iowa.

The Gamecocks ran the table with a perfect 38–0, but Johnson’s first college season was not easy. Especially in the postseason when the stakes are higher and everyone steps their game up, which she spoke about in a recent interview with SLAM Magazine.

“It got harder every level in the competition,” Johnson told SLAM. “We played Texas A&M twice, probably, and in the regular season, compared to in the SEC tournament, that was a whole different team.”

“So just, the competition, and the fact that everyone was either winning or done—I think the level of competition grew a lot it was way more physical,” Johnson added. “You had to be on your A game. The preparation is key and I think our coaches did a good job of mentally preparing us as well as physically preparing us. And also, the leaders on my team, the older people, they told us what to kind of expect. MiLaysia (Fulwiley) [and I], they told us just to play our game, forget the big stage or whatever.”

The transition from high school to college in any sport always comes with challenges. Challenges that are even more extreme when playing for at the highest level of the postseason for a program that’s looking to maintain a recent tradition of dominance. As Johnson also pulled back the curtain on how she stays cool, calm, and collective before games.

“Before the games, I pray because I play for God out there. Besides the fact that I play for South Carolina, my family and my teammates, I really play for God. I represent Him on the court and so I pray to just ease my mind, give me peace, and I pray for the other team, [too]. [For] no injuries and stuff like that,” Johnson explained. “That calms me down when I get on the court. I was also thinking of the word fearless, because, when I was younger, I would play fearless. [I’d think], Why am I afraid to make mistakes? Like, everyone’s gonna make mistakes out there on the court.”

Johnson’s breakout performance in the national championship was her 10th double-digit scoring outing of the season, with three coming in the NCAA Tournament to bring her scoring average for the season up to 6.6 points per game. Production that will definitely have to increase along with her role as she enters her sophomore season.

“[The recognition], it’s good, but then I’m thinking of next season because that’s what we have to do,” Johnson said. “We can take all the moments and enjoy the moments. But now, we’re on to summer. And school is over, so we’re thinking of next season, just working out and getting better because teams are going to scout us harder and play us tighter. [They’ll] know more of the little things that we do. So, that’s kind of the mindset.”