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Dawn Staley Sends Message to South Carolina Players’ Major Life Update

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rodney Knuppel | Last updated May 10, 2025 8:16 PM ET

Dawn Staley is staying busy this spring as she shifts her focus toward summer preparations with the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Hall of Fame coach has been active on the recruiting trail, diving into the transfer portal while also promoting her new book on tour.

It’s graduation season across the country, and many college basketball players are completing their degrees. Some are returning for a final season on the court.

Staley recently sent a heartfelt message to two of her players who graduated Saturday. One will return for another season with South Carolina, while the other is heading to a new destination for 2025–26.

"THE @GamecockWBB GRADUATES! Congrats to @HollywoodRaven @SakimaWalker for finishing the academic race…degree them! I love this part more than anyone will ever know," Staley posted.

THE @GamecockWBB GRADUATES! Congrats to @HollywoodRaven @SakimaWalker for finishing the academic race…degree them! I love this part more than anyone will ever know. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/3rgLCU8gXv
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) May 10, 2025

Raven Johnson and Sakima Walker both earned their undergraduate degrees. Johnson is returning to play one more season with the Gamecocks, while Walker is transferring to finish her career with the California Golden Bears.

Johnson was part of the Gamecocks that won the title in 2022 and 2024, although she missed all but two games in the 2021-22 season due to a knee injury. In Columbia, she appeared in 114 games and started all 39 last season. A former Naismith Prep Player of the Year, Johnson starred at Westlake High School in Atlanta.

Walker joined South Carolina after two under-the-radar seasons at Rutgers. In her two seasons with the Gamecocks, she played in 46 games and made one start. She averaged 1.8 points per game.

As Staley heads into her 18th season at the helm, South Carolina remains a powerhouse in women’s college basketball. Under her leadership, the Gamecocks have reached at least the Final Four five years in a row, with three appearances in the national championship game.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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