South Carolina Stars Boost WNBA Draft Stock After Stellar Season

Raven Johnson and Ta'Niya Latson shine as Gamecocks reach national championship game

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:06am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the motion and energy of a women's basketball game, with the players' forms broken down into overlapping geometric shapes and planes in the colors of the South Carolina Gamecocks and UCLA Bruins uniforms.South Carolina's dynamic backcourt duo of Raven Johnson and Ta'Niya Latson have elevated their games, boosting their WNBA draft stock ahead of the upcoming league selection process.Greenville Today

South Carolina women's basketball stars Raven Johnson and Ta'Niya Latson have significantly improved their WNBA draft stock after standout performances this past season. Johnson, a fifth-year point guard, went from career lows to career highs, earning SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors. Latson, a transfer from Florida State, adapted her high-scoring game to fit Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley's system, showcasing her all-around skills. Both players are projected to be selected in the first round of the upcoming WNBA Draft.

Why it matters

South Carolina has become a pipeline to the WNBA under coach Dawn Staley, with 18 players drafted so far, including two No. 1 overall picks. The continued success of Johnson and Latson highlights the program's ability to develop elite talent and prepare players for the next level.

The details

Johnson averaged career highs of 9.9 points, 5.1 assists and 48.6% shooting, while Latson adapted her high-scoring game to Staley's system, taking fewer shots but improving her efficiency to 48.6% from the field. Their performances have boosted their draft stock, with Johnson projected as a potential lottery pick and Latson expected to be selected in the first round.

  • South Carolina fell to UCLA 79-51 in the national championship game on April 5, 2026.
  • The 2026 WNBA Draft is scheduled for April 13 in New York City.

The players

Raven Johnson

A fifth-year point guard for South Carolina, Johnson won 94.2% of her games with the Gamecocks and leaves the program with five Final Four appearances, five SEC regular season championships and three SEC Tournament titles.

Ta'Niya Latson

A transfer from Florida State, Latson adapted her high-scoring game to fit South Carolina coach Dawn Staley's system, taking fewer shots but improving her efficiency to 48.6% from the field.

Dawn Staley

The head coach of the South Carolina women's basketball team, Staley has sent 18 players into the WNBA, including 11 first-round picks and two No. 1 overall selections.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think there's a player in the history of our game that has over one year, moved up in the draft in that way. She became an All-American, a household name, I think she's worked extremely hard and there's nothing like an experience point guard. Raven fits the bill for to take any franchise that's in a losing situation, making them a winner.”

— Dawn Staley, Head Coach, South Carolina Women's Basketball

“Obviously a high-volume shooter and scorer, there are things that are attractive about that to the WNBA but also, (teams) know she can do that, they saw it at Florida State for multiple years but now there aren't question marks about the other parts of her game as well. She's shown enough scoring so being (at South Carolina), she's able to show other aspects of the game.”

— Andraya Carter, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The 2026 WNBA Draft will take place on April 13 in New York City, where Johnson and Latson are expected to be selected in the first round.

The takeaway

South Carolina's women's basketball program continues to be a premier destination for elite talent, with Johnson and Latson showcasing their skills and boosting their WNBA draft stock during the Gamecocks' run to the national championship game.