Raven Johnson, Tessa Johnson, and six other returning standouts from South Carolina Women’s Basketball have earned a spot on the prestigious 2024-25 SEC Winter Sports Academic Honor Roll, announced Wednesday, April 23. This honor, awarded by the Southeastern Conference (SEC), recognizes student-athletes across winter sports who demonstrate academic excellence alongside their athletic commitments.
The SEC Winter Sports Academic Honor Roll spans a range of sports including men’s and women’s basketball, gymnastics, swimming & diving, equestrian, and rifle.
Eight players from the Gamecocks women’s basketball team made this year’s academic list:
- Sania Feagin
- Bree Hall
- Ashlyn Watkins
- Te-Hina Paopao
- Adhel Tac
- Raven Johnson
- Tessa Johnson
- Sakima Walker
The program celebrated the recognition with a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) account:
“8️⃣ of our 10 returning players made the SEC Winter Sports Academic Honor Roll 📚,” the post read.
To qualify, student-athletes had to meet a minimum GPA of 3.00 (either cumulative or during the academic year), and show significant academic progression—such as completing 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours toward their degree, excluding any remedial coursework. Both scholarship and non-scholarship athletes were considered in the evaluation, which spanned over 800 players across the SEC.
As the Gamecocks gear up for a new season following their 2025 NCAA championship game loss to UConn, all eyes are on the returning stars—and some new firepower.
Joining Raven Johnson and Tessa Johnson will be Ta’Niya Latson, the NCAA’s leading scorer last season. Latson averaged 25.2 points, 4.6 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game, while shooting 45.1% from the field. Her presence could shift South Carolina’s identity from a deep, rotation-heavy team to one led by star power.
Both Johnsons are expected to elevate their games accordingly. Tessa Johnson, who impressed with her defensive performance in the 2024 national title game against Iowa, will likely be tasked with becoming a more consistent defender and playmaker. Meanwhile, head coach Dawn Staley has made it clear that she wants Raven Johnson to become a more aggressive scorer this season.
With academic accolades in hand and a new team dynamic on the horizon, the stage is set for these Gamecocks to shine—both in the classroom and on the court.
