South Carolina's Raven Johnson Misses Practice Due to Illness Before Ole Miss Game

Coach Dawn Staley says starting point guard is "a little bit under the weather" and was told to rest ahead of key SEC matchup.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley said her starting point guard Raven Johnson missed practice on February 20th because she is "a little bit under the weather" and was told to rest. Johnson played limited minutes in the team's previous game against Alabama due to not feeling well. No. 3 South Carolina is set to host No. 17 Ole Miss on February 22nd, with ESPN's "College GameDay" airing from the arena that morning.

Why it matters

Raven Johnson is a key player for the Gamecocks, averaging 10.2 points and 28.9 minutes per game. Her health and availability will be crucial as South Carolina looks to maintain its position atop the SEC standings and secure a high seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The details

Johnson played only 19 minutes in the win over Alabama on February 19th, scoring just 2 points. Coach Staley said after the game that Johnson's limited playing time was due to her not feeling well. The team announced that Johnson was the only player missing from practice on February 20th, with Staley saying she was told to rest. Reserve guard/forward Adhel Tac also continues to be sidelined with a lower-leg injury, though her status for the Ole Miss game is still uncertain.

  • Johnson played limited minutes in the February 19th win over Alabama.
  • Johnson missed practice on February 20th to rest.
  • South Carolina hosts Ole Miss on February 22nd, with ESPN's "College GameDay" airing from the arena that morning.

The players

Raven Johnson

South Carolina's starting point guard, averaging 10.2 points and 28.9 minutes per game.

Dawn Staley

Head coach of the South Carolina women's basketball team.

Adhel Tac

South Carolina reserve guard/forward who has been sidelined with a lower-leg injury.

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What they’re saying

“Raven is a little bit under the weather so we just told her to just rest today.”

— Dawn Staley, Head Coach, South Carolina Women's Basketball (greenvilleonline.com)

“Feel better Raven. Need that energy for Sunday!!!!”

— Kia Johnson, Raven Johnson's Mother (X (formerly Twitter)

What’s next

An official SEC injury report for the South Carolina vs. Ole Miss game will be published at 8:10 PM ET on February 21st.

The takeaway

Raven Johnson's health will be a key factor as South Carolina prepares to host a ranked Ole Miss team in a crucial SEC matchup. The Gamecocks have dealt with several player absences and lineup changes this season, so maintaining their depth and getting key contributors like Johnson back to full strength will be critical down the stretch.