“One More Year!” South Carolina Fans Beg Raven Johnson to Stay After Emotional Senior Day
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Raven Johnson stood at the heart of Colonial Life Arena on Sunday, surrounded by loved ones as the crowd roared in appreciation. The Senior Day tribute had just ended, a heartfelt video narrated by her mother leaving the South Carolina faithful on their feet.
Then, the chants erupted.
“One more year! One more year! One more year!”
Johnson looked taken aback by the overwhelming support, but after the game, she admitted it filled her with joy.
“Classy touch by the fans,” Dawn Staley said with a grin.
Despite being honored on Senior Day, Johnson is technically a redshirt junior due to missing nearly all of her freshman season with an injury. That means she has a major decision to make: declare for the WNBA Draft or return to South Carolina for another season.
For now, Johnson remains undecided.
“You never know,” she said. “We’ll have to wait and see.”
While Staley made it clear the decision is Johnson’s alone, the legendary coach would love to have her star guard back for another season.
“For me, it’s a personal choice,” Staley said. “So I’m not going to push her either way. I’m just going to let her and her family decide what they want to do.”
Johnson’s Legacy at South Carolina
A key piece of one of the winningest classes in Gamecocks history, Johnson has been instrumental in two national championship runs. Over her last 64 games, she’s averaged 6.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4 assists, proving her worth as a dynamic playmaker.
“Obviously, Raven makes us a better basketball team,” Staley said. “Raven is a winner. If she comes back, it increases her chances of winning a lot more basketball games. If she doesn’t, I’m sure the WNBA will welcome her. Probably not as well as we would if she came back. But Raven is going to be a pro, whether it’s this year or next.”
Sakima Walker’s Future Also in Question
Johnson isn’t the only Gamecock weighing her options. Sakima Walker also has the opportunity to return next season, thanks to an NCAA waiver granting former JUCO players an extra year of eligibility.
Walker’s path has been unconventional—starting at Rutgers in 2020-21, transferring to a junior college, and then joining South Carolina last season. Now in her fifth year, she could choose to stay for a sixth.
Regardless of what Johnson or Walker decide, Staley hopes for clarity soon as she prepares for the offseason.
“Hopefully they’ll make a decision in a timely fashion so we know what we need when the transfer portal opens,” Staley said. “There’s room for both of them to return, but we’re going to let them decide on their own accord. I’m not going to pressure them. It’s just that if they come back after we’ve already been in the portal, we’re going to have a lot more on the roster than probably we would like.”
For now, South Carolina fans can only wait—and keep chanting.
