Raven Johnson’s time with the South Carolina Gamecocks under Dawn Staley is coming to an end. The senior guard has only a couple of regular-season games left, then comes the SEC and NCAA tournaments, and she’s done with college and off to the WNBA.
Having been a staple of the team’s lineup for three seasons, it’s understandable that coach Dawn Staley would get emotional about Johnson’s last regular-season home game on Thursday, as the Gamecocks hold senior night against the Missouri Tigers.
“Oh, Raven, I mean. Raven is the most loyal, like she’s super loyal… She doesn’t have a mean spirit in her body. She’s funny, she’s consistent. Like, I like people, Raven is who she is every day of the week, and she doesn’t come in any different than who she is… I just really enjoy being around her… She’s going to leave a big void on the court and off the court,” Staley said.
She went on to say that Raven Johnson was the last of a historic class of players who made her life easier during their time at Columbia. Staley was probably referencing the core group of players who made the 2022 and 2024 national championship wins possible.
Chloe Kitts to Return With the South Carolina Gamecocks in 2026-27
Well, Staley might be a bit off with regards to Johnson being the last of the core group of players who made the national championship wins possible at South Carolina. There’s one other player who remains: Chloe Kitts.
Granted, Kitts wasn’t there for the 2022 win, but she was there in 2024. She should’ve left the program in 2026, but she suffered a season-ending ACL tear in October of last year during the preseason.
There were doubts about whether she would return for 2026-27 or declare for the WNBA Draft. Well, now we know, with Dawn Staley confirming it in a recent press appearance.
“Chloe will come back next year,” Staley said. “I think she said that on Instagram. Right? Well, as far as I know (she’s coming back). Transfer portal isn’t open yet.”
Kitts has neither confirmed nor denied her return, so the coach might have inadvertently spilled the beans on her decision.
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