Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) dribbles the ball past South Carolina Gamecocks guard Raven Johnson (25) Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

South Carolina Star Admits Caitlin Clark Iowa Moment That Nearly Made Her Quit

Originally posted on Women's Fastbreak on SI
By Grant Young | Last updated Mar 29, 2026 11:40 AM ET

It's interesting to see how good of friends Indiana Fever stars Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark have become, given the rivalry they had back in college.

Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes ended Boston's college career with the South Carolina Gamecocks during the Final Four of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Clark went nuclear during that game, scoring 41 points (including 5 made three-pointers) and adding 6 rebounds and 8 assists to end South Carolina's undefeated season.

Of course, Clark's success in that game didn't come directly against Boston, as they play different positions. Instead, Clark was mainly guarded by Gamecocks guard Raven Johnson. And Clark was primarily guarding Johnson when she was in the game.

Raven Johnson Reflects on Caitlin Clark Moment That Sparked Backlash

Johnson was the guest on a March 28 episode of the "I AM NEXT" podcast and shared a story about that fateful 2023 Final Four game.

"And then another adversity would probably be Caitlin Clark," Johnson said, per an X post from @IAMATHLETEpod. The video then showed footage of Clark defending Johnson inside the paint while Johnson was standing along the three-point line during that game, essentially daring her to shoot a three-pointer, which Johnson passed up on multiple times.

"That's one reason I hate the internet now, because of that situation. Like, I got bashed, I got bullied, I got called all these things that I wasn't... I don't know. It was just things like that, and I just think I wanted to quit basketball at that time. And I just wanted to go into this little bubble of isolation, and just be by myself. And I think, you know, I leaned on God, I had some wonderful teammates, wonderful people in my life," Johnson continued.

"And they helped me find that light, and they put so much fuel to the fire for me, to go back the next year, and we went undefeated, and met that team again. And we beat them, so I think that was all God's plan," Johnson concluded.

Talk about adding fuel to the fire…

In 2023 Raven Johnson went VIRAL for being waved off by Caitlin Clark at the 3 point line

Raven told us how that moment came full circle ‼️ pic.twitter.com/HFCMaNnOlp
— I AM ATHLETE (@IAMATHLETEpod) March 28, 2026

She's alluding to the 2024 National Championship game, where her Gamecocks squad beat Clark's Hawkeyes by a score of 87-75. Clark finished that game with 30 points (including going 5 of 13 from three-point range), 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 turnovers in 40 minutes played.

Johnson scored 3 points on 1 of 11 shooting from the field, including 0 of 4 from three-point range, to go along with 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals in 37 minutes played, but ultimately secured the victory.

Props to Johnson for being willing to address this moment.

This article first appeared on Women's Fastbreak on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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