Gamecocks Have Three Players Selected in WNBA Draft NEW YORK — The WNBA draft on April 13 marked a significant milestone for the University of South Carolina as three Gamecocks were selected, continuing the program’s legacy of producing top-tier talent. Raven Johnson, Madina Okot, and Ta’Niya Latson each secured spots in the league, with Johnson and Okot drafted in the first round and Latson in the second. The selections underscored South Carolina’s growing influence in women’s basketball, with the trio joining a roster of former Gamecocks already making waves in the professional league. Raven Johnson, the 10th overall pick, will join Indiana’s roster, where she will reunite with former USC teammate Aliyah Boston and Ty Harris, who recently signed with the Fever. Johnson’s journey to the WNBA was defined by resilience and determination. After a challenging freshman season limited to just two games due to a knee injury, she emerged as one of the Gamecocks’ most beloved players. Her senior year saw her lead South Carolina to a third consecutive national championship game and a sixth straight Final Four, a streak that spanned her entire college career. Johnson’s performance in the 2024 national championship game against Caitlin Clark’s Iowa team was particularly memorable. Despite a prior rivalry—highlighted by Clark’s dismissive gesture during the 2023 Final Four—Johnson overcame the mental hurdle, securing a game-clinching layup in the second quarter to help USC advance. Indiana’s decision to draft Johnson was strategic, as she will complement Caitlin Clark, the league’s star point guard. The two players had a contentious history, with Clark’s dominance in their 2023 matchup lingering as a challenge for Johnson.#dawn_staley #indiana_fever #university_of_south_carolina #wnba_draft #raven_johnson
Caitlin Clark's New Fever Teammate Was Once Waved Off by Her in College The Indiana Fever’s newest addition, Raven Johnson, who was selected with the 10th overall pick in the WNBA Draft, will now face Caitlin Clark in the professional arena after a contentious moment during their college careers. The two players, who were on opposing teams during the 2023 NCAA women’s Final Four, had a tense interaction that sparked widespread attention and controversy. During the championship game between Iowa’s Caitlin Clark and South Carolina’s Raven Johnson, Clark was tasked with guarding Johnson. However, in a pivotal moment, Clark waved Johnson off to double-team another South Carolina player. The clip of this incident quickly went viral, leading to significant backlash against Johnson. She later revealed that the online mockery she faced as a result of the moment contributed to her desire to distance herself from the sport temporarily. Johnson reflected on the incident during an interview on the “I AM NEXT” podcast in March, stating, “I was all over the internet. That’s one reason I hate the internet now, because of that situation. I got bashed, I got bullied, I got called all these things I wasn’t, aka like a monkey and things like that, and I just think I wanted to quit basketball at that time, and I just wanted to go in this little bubble of isolation and just be by myself.” Despite the negative experience, Johnson expressed excitement about joining the Fever and playing alongside Clark. When asked which new teammate she was most eager to play with, Johnson immediately responded, “Caitlin Clark. She’s a phenomenal player, with the things she does, it’s bar standard. She can shoot the ball, she can lead a team, and they win. She has a winning mentality, and I think that’s the biggest thing.#caitlin_clark #indiana_fever #wnba_draft #raven_johnson #i_am_next_podcast
Will Ole Miss Women's Basketball Star Cotie McMahon Be a First-Round Pick in 2026 WNBA Draft? Less than a month after the Ole Miss women’s basketball season concluded in the NCAA Tournament, Cotie McMahon is shifting her focus to the 2026 WNBA Draft. The standout player, who led her team with stellar performances, will attend the draft on April 13 at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York. The event, broadcast live on ESPN at 6 p.m. CT, will feature 15 prospects, including McMahon, marking her third consecutive year as an Ole Miss player selected in the draft. If drafted, McMahon would join a select group of Ole Miss athletes chosen during coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin’s tenure, becoming the program’s ninth overall draft pick. McMahon’s draft projections have positioned her as a strong contender for a first-round selection. ESPN’s latest mock draft places her as the No. 9 pick, with the Washington Mystics expected to select her. The Athletic projects her as the No. 14 pick for the Seattle Storm, while USA TODAY and CBS Sports both anticipate the Connecticut Sun taking her with the No. 15 pick, the final selection of the first round. This projection aligns with predictions from The Sporting News and Sports Illustrated, which also place her at No. 15 for the Sun. However, Bleacher Report’s mock draft diverges slightly, projecting McMahon as a second-round pick, though she would still end up with the Sun at No. 18. McMahon’s season performance has solidified her status as a top prospect. She averaged career-highs in points and assists, scoring 19.5 points per game—ranking third in the SEC—and dishing out 3.0 assists per game, a team-leading stat for Ole Miss. Her contributions extended beyond scoring and playmaking, as she also recorded 5.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.#ole_miss #seattle_storm #wnba_draft #cotie_mcmahon #the_shed_at_hudson_yards
Cotie McMahon Projected to Connecticut Sun in Final WNBA Mock Draft at No. 15 The 2026 WNBA Draft, set to begin in New York on Monday, April 13, has generated significant anticipation as teams finalize their strategies for the upcoming season. While the first overall pick has remained uncertain, recent developments in free agency have narrowed the focus for the Dallas Wings, who are expected to select UConn guard Azzi Fudd at No. 1. Other candidates for the top spot include Spanish forward Awa Fam, UCLA center Lauren Betts, and TCU guard Olivia Miles. However, the spotlight has shifted to Ole Miss standout Cotie McMahon, whose projected selection in USA TODAY’s final mock draft highlights her potential impact on the league. McMahon, a versatile forward with a strong offensive skill set, is anticipated to be chosen at No. 15 overall by the Connecticut Sun. The Sun’s selection of McMahon aligns with their need for a dynamic wing player capable of contributing immediately. McMahon’s ability to score from midrange, drive to the basket, and create space for teammates makes her a valuable asset for a team looking to strengthen its offensive options. Her high-energy playstyle and adaptability to different roles—whether as a wing or forward—position her as a key addition to the Sun’s roster. The mock draft, which incorporates potential trades and protections, reflects the evolving landscape of the WNBA. McMahon’s projected pick at No. 15 underscores her status as a first-round talent, despite the competition from other top prospects. Her performance at Ole Miss, where she averaged 19.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3 assists per game while shooting 45.1% from the field and 28.6% from beyond the arc, has solidified her reputation as a well-rounded player.#ole_miss #azzi_fudd #wnba_draft #connecticut_sun #cotie_mcmahon
Decision Made on Gamecocks Basketball Standout Madina Okot South Carolina’s Madina Okot will head to the WNBA after the NCAA denied her appeal for an extra year of eligibility. The WNBA draft is scheduled for April 13, marking the end of her collegiate career with the Gamecocks. Okot, who played her final game for the team, has decided to pursue professional basketball without the possibility of an additional season at the NCAA level. The NCAA’s decision came after Okot’s team, the South Carolina Gamecocks, submitted an appeal arguing that her two years at a university in her native Kenya should not count toward NCAA eligibility rules due to the significant difference in competition levels. Coach Dawn Staley, who has been vocal about the appeal process throughout the season, confirmed that the NCAA had been reviewing the case. However, the outcome was ultimately unfavorable, leaving Okot with no choice but to declare for the WNBA draft. Okot had to make her decision within 48 hours of her final game, which was a national championship loss to UCLA. Once she received the NCAA’s response, appealing further or pursuing legal action was deemed impractical, as the decision could have been overturned again, leaving her without a viable path to play in 2026. With the WNBA draft approaching, Okot’s move to the professional league was inevitable. Staley praised Okot’s contributions to the team and her personal journey, stating, “Early in her basketball career, Madina made courageous choices not just to pursue the sport, but also to better her life. Her path included just a short time with us in Columbia, but we are grateful to be part of her story. She made our team and our sport better.” The coach also highlighted Okot’s impact on the program, noting her leadership and skill set.#south_carolina_gamecocks #ncaa #dawn_staley #madina_okot #wnba_draft
