Dawn Staley pinpoints 1 aspect of Raven Johnson’s game that could be ‘next step in elevation’
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley met reporters at SEC media days on Wednesday. The Gamecocks were fresh off a commanding 106-63 win over the Memphis Tigers in the inaugural Hoops for St. Jude’s charity game at FedEx Forum on Tuesday.
Staley highlighted the Gamecocks' strategy before the exhibition matchup, her anticipation for the season and much more. One of the questions revolved around returning star Raven Johnson.
The question probed Staley's understanding of what Johnson needs for the “next step in elevation” in her game. Staley immediately pointed out Raven Johnson's unselfishness as a player and point guard, citing that she needs to attempt some shots to maintain unpredictability in her game.
"I think Raven needs to be a little more selfish and take some more shots,” Staley said at the SEC media days on Wednesday. “I thought she did a great job yesterday of mixing it up, distributing the basketball, and being greedy a little bit, keeping her opponent off guard because, if you look at Raven, she is very, very, very unselfish.
"So, she would much rather pass the basketball, and sometimes when you get in as a point guard, you get in the mode of that, you miss out on some scoring opportunities just to keep the defense honest. So that is the next step for her, and she's working at in practice, and it was good to see her do some of that in stretches to the game last night."
South Carolina’s exhibition against Memphis was headlined by doubles doubles by Chloe Kitts and Joyce Edwards. Nevertheless, Raven Johnson was seen as a bit aggressive in attempting shots and dished out a team-high four assists and seven rebounds.
What will Raven Johnson bring to Dawn Staley's roster this season?
After long stretches of dealing with injuries, Raven Johnson churned out her best season during Dawn Staley’s undefeated championship run. Averaging 8.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and team highs of 2.1 steals and 4.8 assists, she looked like the High School Player of the Year that she was.
Johnson will bring all of that to the Gamecocks this season, with expectations to diversify her game. Even when her stature as the second-best assist-to-turnover player in the nation takes a slight hit, South Carolina will be happy to see Johnson expanding her impact on matchups.
On the defensive end of the floor, Raven Johnson will continue to be the defensive menace for Dawn Staley, like she was in the 2024 NCAA finals against Iowa.