Three South Carolina Women's Basketball Stars Projected in WNBA Draft

Gamecocks' Johnson, Okot, and Latson all expected to be selected in first round

Mar. 21, 2026 at 11:45am

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Following the announcement of a new WNBA collective bargaining agreement, a recent mock draft from The Athletic has projected three South Carolina women's basketball players - Raven Johnson, Madina Okot, and Ta'Niya Latson - to be selected in the first round of the upcoming WNBA Draft.

Why it matters

South Carolina has emerged as a powerhouse in women's college basketball, and the potential selection of three Gamecocks in the first round of the WNBA Draft would further cement the program's status as a top producer of professional talent.

The details

Point guard Raven Johnson is projected to be selected 7th overall by the expansion Toronto Tempo, while post player Madina Okot and guard Ta'Niya Latson are both expected to be picked by the Connecticut Sun at 12th and 15th overall, respectively. Johnson has developed into an elite defender and facilitator, Okot offers a unique combination of low-post strength and floor-stretching shooting ability, and Latson emerged as an efficient scorer and improved defender this past season.

  • The WNBA Draft is scheduled for Monday, April 13, 2026.
  • The WNBA and WNBA Players Association recently came to an agreement on an updated collective bargaining agreement for the league.

The players

Raven Johnson

A point guard who spent her entire five-year career with the South Carolina Gamecocks, developing into the country's top perimeter defender, an elite facilitator, and one of the sport's best leaders.

Madina Okot

A 6-6 post player who transferred to South Carolina this season, offering an impressive combination of low-post strength and floor-stretching shooting ability.

Ta'Niya Latson

A guard who also transferred to South Carolina this season, emerging as a more efficient scorer and improved defender.

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What they’re saying

“Raven Johnson is a potential 'culture-setter' for the expansion Tempo franchise if she hears her name called at No. 7.”

— Sabreena Merchant, Reporter

“Madina Okot's paint presence would make an excellent fit for the Sun.”

— Sabreena Merchant, Reporter

“No. 15 'might be too low for Latson'.”

— Sabreena Merchant, Reporter

What’s next

The WNBA expansion draft has not yet happened, so the specific teams and teammates for Johnson, Okot, and Latson remain unknown. However, if Okot and Latson are both selected by the Connecticut Sun, they would be reunited with former Gamecock Saniya Rivers, who transferred to NC State after one season at South Carolina.

The takeaway

The potential selection of three South Carolina women's basketball players in the first round of the WNBA Draft further solidifies the Gamecocks' status as a premier program that develops elite professional talent. The diverse skillsets of Johnson, Okot, and Latson would make valuable additions to their prospective WNBA franchises.