South Carolina women’s basketball All-American honors before March Madness arrived with a burst of national attention Wednesday, as two standout Gamecocks received major recognition just days before the NCAA Tournament begins.
The postseason spotlight is already heating up, and the Gamecocks are right at the center of it. As conference tournaments fade into the background and the madness of March approaches, national outlets have begun unveiling their prestigious All-American teams. Among the names lighting up the lists are South Carolina stars and , two players whose impact this season has echoed from packed arenas to highlight reels across the country.
Edwards landed on the second team All-American lists from both USA Today and ESPN, while Johnson received honorable mention honors from USA Today, recognition that underscores South Carolina’s depth and dominance heading into the NCAA Tournament.
For a program led by legendary coach , it’s another reminder that the Gamecocks remain one of the sport’s premier powerhouses.
Joyce Edwards: A Sophomore Season That Turned Heads
When the ball snaps through the net and the crowd inside Colonial Life Arena erupts, chances are Joyce Edwards has something to do with it.
The sophomore forward has been electric all season—explosive in transition, relentless on the boards, and efficient with nearly every touch.
Her numbers tell the story:
- 19.6 points per game
- 6.3 rebounds
- 2.4 assists
- 1.7 steals
- 1.1 blocks
- 58.2% shooting from the field
That shooting mark ranks among the best in the SEC, reflecting her remarkable balance of power and finesse around the basket.
Edwards’ all-around dominance hasn’t gone unnoticed by award committees either. She is a finalist for the prestigious , which recognizes the best player in women’s college basketball. She’s also on the late-season watch list for National Defensive Player of the Year and is expected to be a finalist for the , given annually to the nation’s top power forward.
Her presence on both the ESPN and USA Today second teams shows just how widely respected her game has become.
For opponents, Edwards presents a nightmare matchup—too quick for most forwards, too strong for guards trying to help down low. When she gets going, the pace of the entire game shifts.
Raven Johnson’s Defensive Brilliance Earns Recognition
While Edwards often grabs headlines with scoring bursts, Raven Johnson has quietly assembled one of the most efficient seasons of any guard in the country.
Johnson earned honorable mention All-American recognition from USA Today, a nod to a campaign defined by elite decision-making and suffocating defense.
Her stat line reflects a player in complete control of the floor:
- 10.3 points per game
- Career-best shooting efficiency
- 5.4-to-1.6 assist-to-turnover ratio
That assist-to-turnover ratio ranks among the best in the nation, illustrating Johnson’s ability to orchestrate the offense without wasting possessions.
But it’s her defensive presence that has truly separated her this year. Johnson was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year, routinely shutting down opposing guards and sparking fast breaks with steals.
She’s also a finalist for National Defensive Player of the Year, putting her firmly among the elite defenders in college basketball.
The result? A floor general who dictates tempo, frustrates opposing backcourts, and delivers when the moment demands it.
The Full USA Today All-American Teams
Here’s how the USA Today Women’s Basketball All-American teams shook out this year (full list available via USA Today’s announcement):
First Team
- Mikayla Blakes — Vanderbilt (Guard)
- Hannah Hidalgo — Notre Dame (Guard)
- Madison Booker — Texas (Forward)
- Sarah Strong — UConn (Forward)
- Lauren Betts — UCLA (Center)
Second Team
- Joyce Edwards — South Carolina (Forward)
- Olivia Miles — TCU (Guard)
- Azzi Fudd — UConn (Guard)
- Audi Crooks — Iowa State (Center)
- Clara Strack — Kentucky (Center)
Honorable Mention
- Raven Johnson — South Carolina (Guard)
- Maggie Doogan — Richmond (Forward)
- Jaloni Cambridge — Ohio State (Guard)
- Toby Fournier — Duke (Forward)
- Cotie McMahon — Ole Miss (Forward)
ESPN’s All-American Selections
ESPN released its own list of top performers across women’s college basketball as well, with Edwards once again making the second team (see ESPN’s full list here).
First Team
- Mikayla Blakes — Vanderbilt
- Hannah Hidalgo — Notre Dame
- Azzi Fudd — UConn
- Sarah Strong — UConn
- Lauren Betts — UCLA
Second Team
- Joyce Edwards — South Carolina
- Olivia Miles — TCU
- Madison Booker — Texas
- Jaloni Cambridge — Ohio State
- Olivia Olson — Michigan
The overlap between the two lists highlights just how competitive the national landscape has become this season.
Perfect Timing for the Gamecocks
The timing of these honors couldn’t be better for South Carolina.
With Selection Sunday approaching and the NCAA Tournament about to tip off, the Gamecocks are widely projected to land a No. 1 seed in the bracket. Recognition like this only reinforces the belief that the team is built for a deep postseason run.
Momentum matters in March.
Awards fuel confidence.
Confidence fuels performance.
And when a roster already stacked with talent receives national validation, it can energize an entire locker room.
For South Carolina, the formula is simple: elite defense, efficient scoring, and leadership from players like Edwards and Johnson.
Eyes Now Turn to March Madness
The roar of tournament crowds is coming. The pressure of win-or-go-home basketball is just around the corner.
Every possession will matter.
And if the Gamecocks make the deep run many analysts expect, the names Joyce Edwards and Raven Johnson will almost certainly be at the center of it—driving the offense, locking down opponents, and chasing another championship moment.
Because in the end, South Carolina women’s basketball All-American honors before March Madness may be just the opening chapter of an even bigger story still waiting to unfold.
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