Three Former Gamecocks Set Rivalry Aside for a Meal-Delivery Mission in Atlanta
Before Atlanta hosted Indiana on Sunday, three players who once shared a locker room at South Carolina came together off the court for a cause far bigger than the game itself.
Paths that diverged in college, reconverged in the pros
The connections between these three players trace back to South Carolina, even though not all of them overlapped on campus. Te-Hina Paopao and Madina Okot never actually played together as Gamecocks, but they’re now teammates professionally in Atlanta — a coincidence of career timing that’s brought them together in the same city regardless. On the opposing side, their former South Carolina teammate Raven Johnson now suits up for the Fever, adding an extra layer of storyline to Sunday’s matchup.
A genuine homecoming for Johnson
For Johnson specifically, this game carried personal significance beyond a typical road trip, given that she grew up in Atlanta. She’s stayed actively connected to her hometown well before this particular visit, having organized backpack giveaways and provided new shoes for her former high school team. That ongoing community involvement makes her presence in Atlanta feel less like a passing road game and more like a continued extension of relationships she’s maintained since before her college career even began.
South Carolina itself recognized that connection last season, scheduling an exhibition game in Atlanta specifically so Johnson and her former high school teammate Ta’Niya Latson — now with the Las Vegas Aces — could compete in front of family and friends back home. That earlier gesture underscores just how significant Johnson’s ties to the city have remained throughout her career.
Rivals on the court, partners off it
Despite representing opposing teams professionally, Johnson, Okot and Paopao chose to set aside their competitive rivalry while the Fever were in town, reuniting for a shared community service project. The three worked alongside Open Hand Atlanta and Anthem to personally deliver food to residents across the city — a collaboration that speaks to the lasting bond built during their time together at South Carolina, regardless of which professional jerseys they now wear.
Understanding the cause behind the effort
Open Hand Atlanta serves a particularly vulnerable population, providing health-promoting meals delivered directly to the homes of people in need. The organization’s food is specifically tailored for individuals managing serious, life-challenging illnesses — including cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes and kidney failure. That specificity matters: this wasn’t a generic food drive, but a targeted effort supporting people whose nutritional needs are directly tied to managing chronic, serious health conditions.
Documenting the moment
The Indianapolis Star captured the day with photos showing all three former Gamecocks making their deliveries together — a visual reminder that, even as professional rivals separated by different franchises, their shared South Carolina roots and evident friendship extended well beyond the boundaries of the court on Sunday.
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