South Carolina’s Raven Johnson Sends Out Ambitious Message for 2025-26 Season: “We’re Not Done Yet”
Columbia, SC – May 28, 2025 — South Carolina guard Raven Johnson has officially set the tone for what’s to come in the 2025-26 women’s college basketball season — and it’s nothing short of championship ambition. In a message that combined fire, focus, and full-throttle confidence, Johnson made it abundantly clear: she and head coach Dawn Staley are coming for more.
“We’re not done yet,” Johnson posted to her 217,000 Instagram followers Tuesday night, just days after reuniting with teammates for offseason workouts. “We’ve got unfinished business. And we’re going harder than ever.”
Those words, while short, landed with the weight of a national title program hungry for more. South Carolina, already the gold standard in women’s basketball under Staley, is gearing up for yet another title run. With Johnson at the helm, expectations are sky-high — and the Gamecocks are embracing every ounce of it.
A Leader Emerges: Johnson’s Evolution
Now entering her fourth year in the program, Raven Johnson has blossomed into the heartbeat of South Carolina’s backcourt. A former five-star recruit and Georgia native, Johnson’s growth has been marked by her steady command of the offense, defensive prowess, and infectious energy that Staley has praised time and again.
Last season, she averaged 9.4 points, 6.1 assists, and 2.3 steals per game while orchestrating the floor for a Gamecocks squad that reached the Final Four. Her ability to remain composed under pressure, coupled with a deepening scoring arsenal, has made her one of the most respected guards in the country.
“She’s more than a point guard,” Dawn Staley said in March. “She’s our general. She sets the pace, holds everyone accountable, and does it with joy and confidence.”
Now, Johnson is adding vocal leadership to her resume. Her social media post this week wasn’t just hype—it was a signal to teammates, fans, and rivals: South Carolina is still building, still fighting, and still aiming for the mountaintop.
Dawn Staley’s Blueprint Continues
Under head coach Dawn Staley, South Carolina has transformed into a dynasty of excellence and empowerment. The Gamecocks have claimed two national titles (2017 and 2022), reached five Final Fours since 2015, and consistently finished atop the SEC standings.
With Johnson leading the returning core and several high-profile recruits entering the fold, Staley’s vision for a sustainable, relentless program is as clear as ever.
“We don’t reload. We refine,” Staley said during a recent offseason coaching clinic. “That means players like Raven—who have been through the fire—are ready to light the torch for the next wave.”
What’s Next for the Gamecocks?
South Carolina enters the 2025-26 season with a potent combination of experience and elite talent. Alongside Johnson, key returners include sharpshooting wing Chloe Kitts, forward Ashlyn Watkins, and sophomore standout Tessa Johnson—all of whom played pivotal roles during last year’s tournament run.
Add in incoming freshman Janiya Simmons, a McDonald’s All-American from Texas, and UConn transfer power forward Layla Monroe, and you have a roster brimming with depth, size, and skill.
Preseason rankings are expected to place South Carolina in the Top 3 nationally, with rival programs like LSU, UConn, and Iowa (now without Caitlin Clark) rounding out the national conversation.
Still, Raven Johnson isn’t worried about rankings—she’s focused on redemption.
“We know what it feels like to come up short,” Johnson said during an offseason interview with SEC Network. “That’s not a feeling we want to have again.”
Fanbase Fired Up
As news of Johnson’s message spread across social media, fans and alumni responded with excitement and praise. The Gamecock faithful, who filled Colonial Life Arena night after night last season, have long embraced Johnson as one of their own — fiery, gritty, and unapologetically driven.
“She’s everything you want in a point guard,” tweeted former Gamecock and WNBA star A’ja Wilson. “Her mindset is elite. SC’s in good hands.”
Student sections, fan pages, and local media have already adopted Johnson’s rallying cry, sharing her message with hashtags like #UnfinishedBusiness and #RunItBack.
The Bigger Picture
For Johnson, this season is about more than basketball—it’s about legacy. She’s aiming to finish what she started: winning a national championship as a starter, uplifting her teammates, and solidifying her name in Gamecock history alongside greats like Wilson, Destanni Henderson, and Zia Cooke.
There’s also the WNBA on the horizon. Johnson is expected to be a top draft prospect in 2026, and scouts have already taken note of her poise, vision, and growing maturity.
But when asked about the next level, Johnson remains laser-focused on the present:
“That’ll come when it comes,” she said. “Right now, I’m locked in on putting another banner in the rafters at Colonial Life. That’s the goal.”
Final Word: A Season of Promise and Pressure
With Raven Johnson’s voice leading the charge, the South Carolina Gamecocks are stepping into a season that could define an era. They’re no longer the hunters—they’re the hunted. And they’re ready.
Johnson’s ambitious message isn’t just a challenge to her teammates. It’s a statement to the entire women’s basketball world:
This team isn’t satisfied. This team is building something bigger. And they’re not done yet.