Raven Johnson, South Carolina star, named SEC Defensive Player of the Year
By Mark Kern
Published:
Raven Johnson is one of the biggest reasons why South Carolina looks like a team that is capable of winning another national title under coach Dawn Staley. On the season, Johnson has averaged 10 points, 5.4 assists and 4.2 rebounds, but it’s on the defensive end where she really makes her mark.
Johnson guards the opponent’s best player every night and averages 1.6 steals, with especially impressive anticipation. On Tuesday, she was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
She was also named to the All-SEC Second team, joining teammates Tessa Johnson, Ta’Niya Latson and Madina Okot. Joyce Edwards was named to the First-Team All-SEC, putting all five South Carolina starters on either the first or second all-conference team.
The Gamecocks wrapped up the regular season with a 60-56 win against Kentucky on Sunday, finishing with a 29-2 record. That includes a 15-1 record in the SEC, which means they will enter the SEC Tournament as the No. 1 seed.
South Carolina will have a bye in the SEC Tournament and won’t be in action until the quarterfinal round on Thursday. Regardless of the outcome, the Gamecocks figure to be a lock for a No. 1 seed when the NCAA Tournament bracket is released.
