Three Gamecock women’s basketball players will continue their careers at the pro level after being picked in the 2026 WNBA Draft.

Raven Johnson, Madina Okot and Ta’Niya Latson were selected in Monday night's draft held in New York City. Johnson and Okot heard their names called in the first round, and Latson was selected early in the second round. 

This year’s draft marked the 10th time in the past 12 years that at least one Gamecock was drafted. In that span, the team had 13 first-round selections. Since 2020, South Carolina leads the nation with 15 overall selections and eight first-round picks.

It was also the fourth time in program history at least three South Carolina players were selected in a single draft. The team achieved that feat last season and in 2017 and 2023, when the team had three players taken in the top 10. 

The team set a program record in 2023 when it had five players drafted, becoming one of four programs to achieve that feat. 

Below are brief summaries about this year’s Gamecock draft class and their WNBA destinations. 

Raven Johnson - Round 1, Pick 10 (Indiana Fever)

Johnson was the first Gamecock taken off the board, going 10th overall to the Indiana Fever. 

“You dream of moments like this as a little girl,” Johnson said. “Just to hear my name called, it’s a blessing.”

The guard spent five years with the Gamecocks and was a key part of one of the most successful stretches in program history. She was part of five Final Four runs, won two national championships and eight combined SEC regular season and tournament titles.

Johnson was the team’s leader on the court this past season and averaged a career-best 10 points per game on 49 percent shooting, including 40 percent from three.  She averaged a team-high five assists per game and was one of the best perimeter defenders in the country. 

She was an All-American this past season and was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year. 

In Indiana, Johnson will reunite with former Gamecocks teammate and current WNBA All-Star Aliyah Boston. 

She will also be on a team with former Iowa Hawkeye guard Caitlin Clark. Johnson and Clark were matched up against each other in some high-stakes games, such as the 2023 Final Four and 2024 National Championship Game. 

Clark is Indiana’s clear starting point guard for the foreseeable future, but Johnson has a chance to carve out a nice role as a backup or secondary guard. No matter what her role is, Johnson knows what her goals in the W are. 

“At the end of the day, I want to win,” she said. 

Madina Okot - Round 1, Pick 13 (Atlanta Dream)

Okot’s journey to the WNBA was just six years in the making. That’s how long she’s been playing basketball. 

The Kenya native played just two years of NCAA ball, but had shown tremendous development in that time. All of her stats increased after transferring to South Carolina from Mississippi State, and she stacked double-doubles throughout the season. 

“Honestly, I didn't see myself being here today, six years ago,” Okot said. “ I had to act like I was behind, and I had to be obsessed with details, putting in extra work.”

While her time with the Gamecocks was short, she made her presence felt. 

Okot earned an All-SEC Second Team and had one of the best rebounding seasons in program history. Her 149 offensive rebounds rank second in the program’s single-season record books. She is also third in both total rebounds, with 412, and defensive rebounds, with 263. 

Her 6’6’’ frame will add some much-needed size to the Dream’s locker room after losing Brittney Griner in free agency. 

Ta’Niya Latson - Round 2, Pick 20 (Los Angeles Sparks)

Latson was the last Gamecock taken off the board, going 20th overall after being taken with the fifth pick in the second round by the Los Angeles Sparks. 

Like Okot, Latson only spent one year in garnet and black. She played her first three seasons at Florida State, averaging 20-plus points per game each year, including a nation’s best 25 points per game in 2025. 

Her stats dipped a bit after joining the Gamecocks, but that was the product of joining a deep team with plenty of other talented scorers. She averaged 14 points on a career-best 49% from the floor this past year. 

“I went to South Carolina to become a pro and get ready for the league,” Latson said. “I feel like I'm well prepared.”

Latson earned All-America and all-conference honors for the fourth-straight season and was near the top of the SEC in many statistical categories. 

In L.A., Latson will join a veteran guard room, featuring Kelsey Plum and Ariel Atkins. 

The draft was a full-circle moment for Latson, who participated in Plum’s “Dawg Class” camp. 

“She gave me a lot of advice and just to see how she worked up close,” Latson said. “She's such a hard worker, so I can't wait to learn from her.”