Fabulous Freshmen

From Spurs & Feathers

Time will tell if South Carolina’s top-ranked recruiting class will be the next “Fab Four.” While the freshmen are confident in their abilities – each of them earn McDonald’s High School All-American honors – they understand there is a learning curve and hard work ahead of them as they take their place on a roster that returns every member of last year’s NCAA Final Four team.

“The biggest adjustment is knowing that I’m not ‘the one’ and knowing that I have other teammates that are better than me,” said Sania Feagin. “It’s not hard to think about getting less minutes because we’re a team.”

“I’ve never had my shot blocked like I’ve had it blocked here before,” said guard Saniya Rivers, who was the Gatorade and USA Today National High School Player of the Year as a senior. “It’s definitely a ‘welcome to college’ thing, but I love it. I think there is less pressure on us because we have all the pieces from last year. I think I’m more comfortable going into a team that’s already built a good relationship.”

“You have to transition to the speed of the game,” said point guard Raven Johnson, who earned the nickname “Hollywood” from her AAU coach because of her penchant for bedazzled attire. “I would say it’s less pressure to know that last year’s team made it to the Final Four. I’m pretty sure I’m going to have one of those welcome to college moments. We had a life skills meeting, and we talked about having moments like that and having to be prepared to be mentally tough.”

“The biggest adjustment for me is the speed of practice and the strength of the other girls,” said guard Bree Hall, who carries the nickname “Breezy,” so as not to be confused with teammate Brea Beal. “In high school, it was a lot easier to get to the paint and get your shot off. In college, it’s a lot of communication.”

Each has their perceived strengths to rely on early in their career.

“We all have a good bond, on and off the court.”
– Raven Johnson

“One of my strong points is that I’m unselfish,” Rivers said. “I love to pass the ball more than I like to score. I think my teammates like that. I’ve never been a shoot-first type of person, but in high school and club, I had to do that. Here, I don’t have to do that anymore. I want to be the best free throw shooter. Free throws win ball games.”

(L-R) Hall, Feagin, Rivers. (Kneeling) Johnson.

“I have to make other people better,” Johnson said. “As a point guard I have to be a leader. I have to talk and get my teammates the ball.”

“Defense and my hustle are things I would call my strengths,” Hall said. “We have a lot of scorers, so I want to shut down the star players. Driving to the basket is one of my stronger points and running in transition.”

“I’m versatile, and I can play the three or the four (position),” said Feagin, who is the tallest of the group at 6’3″. I need to get better with my defense. I used to be the tallest one out there in high school and AAU. Coming here, I know I can’t stay behind the post players because they’re bigger than me.”

Each of the rookies has plenty of talent, and they’re also thankful for those who have influenced them to this point.

“The biggest influence on me would have to be the Lord, because I know without Him, none of this would be possible,” Feagin said.

“Definitely my parents and my siblings,” said Rivers. “They’re always there to motivate me.”

“My mom,” Hall said. “We are twins. We think alike. She helps me with everything.”

“My granddad,” Johnson said. “He passed when I was around 10 years old. He’s the reason I play basketball today.”

With all of their previous accolades, the group of rookies shares a lot in common. They all like to sing. Some like to shop. The main thing is they like to do it together.  

“They’re good human beings,” Feagin said. “They’re all my sisters!”

“We all have a good bond, on and off the court,” Johnson said. 

A common goal for all of them is to help the Gamecocks win the national championship.