COLUMBIA — South Carolina women’s basketball and Raven Johnson took care of business and now it’s up to her boyfriend Nick Emmanwori to do the same.
Johnson had 13 points and seven assists as the No. 3 Gamecocks (24-2, 10-1 SEC) beat No. 17 Tennessee 93-50 Feb. 8 not long before Super Bowl 60 kicks off.
Emmanwori is a rookie safety and will help lead the Seattle Seahawks against the New England Patriots.
Drafted out of South Carolina last April, he’s trying to complete what’s been an impressive first season. He was a Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist, but Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger won, which Johnson didn’t agree with.
“I think he should have got the Defensive Rookie of the Year this year,” Johnson said to ESPN postgame. “He’s gonna show the world today why he should’ve got that award.”
Johnson was not made available for media interviews after the game by South Carolina.
Raven Johnson, Nick Emmanwori are dating
Johnson showed up to Colonial Life Arena for the game in custom Seahawks/Emmanwori pants. They had pictures of the two of them in addition to individual photos of Emmanwori.
During the game South Carolina coach Dawn Staley wore a No. 3 Seattle Seahawks (Emmanwori) jersey.
Last year Staley flew from a game at Texas home to watch her beloved Philadelphia Eagles win the Super Bowl and despite the Eagles absence in this year’s game, Staley still cares about the result.
“I gotta go with Ray Ray’s man,” Staley said on Feb. 6, referring to Johnson.
Emmanwori played from 2022-24 under coach Shane Beamer, declaring for the draft after his junior year. He went No. 35 overall.
He was Pro Football Focus’ top-graded defender in the NFC Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams when he forced three incompletions and had five tackles. He’s up to 56 solo tackles and one interception heading into the Super Bowl and is first among all safeties with 15 pass breakups.
“I got an association with the Seahawks and Nick so bring it on home Nick. I know your ankle … I know you’re gonna do whatever you need to do to play,” Staley added, referring to Emmanwori’s ankle injury from Feb. 4. He has since been taken off the injury report.
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky@bylulukesin.bsky.social
