South Carolina guard Raven Johnson has revealed that there was a moment back in the day that could have defined her basketball trajectory. That moment took place during the 2023 semifinals against the Iowa Hawkeyes and, specifically, Caitlin Clark.
Now a national champion, Johnson is opening up about the viral disrespect she felt and that nearly drove her to walk away from the game entirely.
The moment that went viral
During the 2023 matchup that ended South Carolina’s undefeated season, Clark employed a psychological defensive tactic that nobody expected. While guarding Johnson at the three-point line, Clark famously sagged off, retreating deep into the paint and waving a hand as if to dare Johnson to shoot.
Johnson passed up the shots and the Gamecocks lost afterwards. The internet, as it often does, turned cruel on Johnson.
“That’s one reason I hate the internet now
That is what she shared during a recent appearance on the I AM NEXT podcast, reflecting how difficult these times were for her. She also added
“I got bashed, I got bullied, I got called all these things that I wasn’t
The dark side of the athletes’ bubble
The weight of the digital backlash was nearly enough to crush one of the brightest talents in women’s basketball. Johnson admitted that the adversity of that moment took her to a very dark place.
“I just think I wanted to quit basketball at that time. I just wanted to go into this little bubble of isolation and just be by myself
The narrative of the “wave-off” became a symbol of Iowa’s dominance, but for Johnson, it was a deeply personal wound. She credits her faith, her teammates, and a strong support system for helping her find the right path of comfort when the noise of the internet felt deafening.
Her story serves as a powerful reminder to fans and athletes alike: a viral moment is just a snapshot, but resilience is way longer. Raven used her survival it to build a championship legacy.
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