Tessa Johnson Ready to Leave “Tournament Tessa” Behind and Lead Gamecocks All Season Long
South Carolina guard Tessa Johnson has a new mission for the 2025-26 season — retiring the “Tournament Tessa” nickname for good.
“It’s going to be a whole year thing,” Johnson promised during SEC Tipoff this week, making it clear she plans to bring her postseason energy into every game this year.
Last season, Johnson averaged 8.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 21.2 minutes per game while shooting 47.4% from the field and 43.0% from three — solid numbers that marked improvement from her freshman campaign. She also became a stronger defender, passer, and off-ball player.
But despite the growth, Johnson wasn’t satisfied.
“Losing was hard and I was boiling on it a little bit. But I had people in my ear telling me, ‘You got there.’ Only two teams get to the last game,” she said. “I’m just switching my mindset to that … I don’t want to ever have that feeling ever again. That was bad. I liked the freshman year feeling.”
Her coach, Dawn Staley, saw the same frustration — and opportunity.
“She had a great freshman year,” Staley said. “I think she had a subpar sophomore year. It wasn’t like what she probably anticipated. So you’ve got to have those conversations with her about, hey, it’s time to take the next step.”
That “next step” began last postseason when Staley famously called for the return of “Tournament Tessa.” Johnson responded with a breakout stretch — energizing South Carolina in the SEC quarterfinals, dominating against North Carolina, hitting clutch shots versus Oregon State, and setting a career-high in the national championship game.
In just a few weeks, she went from under-the-radar sophomore to household name. But the label “Tournament Tessa” soon became a burden.
“On my end, the fact that I wasn’t playing the greatest throughout the season, no,” Johnson admitted. “I would like me to play like Tournament Tessa every single game. I need to be more consistent throughout the season. If I was consistent … then I would like Tournament Tessa.”
This season, consistency is the key. With Bree Hall and Te-Hina Paopao both in the WNBA, Johnson is now South Carolina’s only returning three-point shooter and is expected to start. She’ll also take over Hall’s defensive duties on the perimeter — a major responsibility on a team aiming for another Final Four.
“It is her time right now,” Staley said on the SEC Network. “And she’s doing it every day in practice. You have to challenge yourself and familiarize yourself with being great every day, so when game days come, you’re just playing like you normally play.”
The addition of transfer guard Ta’Niya Latson could also elevate Johnson’s role. Latson, known for her aggressive drives, will create plenty of drive-and-kick opportunities for Johnson on the perimeter.
“She’s growing,” Latson said. “We see her every day. She plays at a high level on both ends of the floor. Just playing with Tessa challenges me … I know she’s going to knock down her shots.”
After two seasons of highs, lows, and March magic, Tessa Johnson is ready to prove she’s not just a tournament star — she’s an every-night leader for Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks.
