When South Carolina’s Raven Johnson starts talking about her “son,” no, she’s not announcing any family surprises—she’s talking about Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards. The two met back in middle school, and apparently, Edwards might owe a little bit of his NBA swagger to the Gamecocks guard. At least, according to Johnson.
In a recent Players Tribune interview with Haley Jones, Johnson joked that she’s practically been Edwards’ mentor since day one. “That’s my son,” she said with a laugh. “I taught him everything he knows. Well…he’s gotta work on his defense a little, so maybe he should call me for a few tips on that.” Johnson didn’t hold back, throwing just the right amount of shade to keep fans entertained.
Their friendship is all about friendly competition, though, and she remembers one game in ninth grade where Edwards took their one-on-one just a bit too seriously. “He was going at me like I was a little boy out there,” she recalled, laughing. “I was like, ‘Hello, I’m a girl! Calm down!’ But to this day, I tell everybody I beat him. I mean, let’s be real—I’d never admit if he actually won.”
Their playful bond isn’t just about trash talk, though. Johnson credits Edwards with helping her bounce back after one of the toughest moments of her career. After being waved off by Iowa’s Caitlin Clark in the 2023 NCAA Final Four, Johnson hit a rough patch. Fans started calling her “the girl who got waved off,” and it stung enough that she started skipping classes and avoiding friends. But Edwards stepped in with some tough love, reminding her of her worth and potential.
“Don’t let this bring you down. You know who you are… so you can’t let this situation change you,” Edwards had texted her. “You need to get in the gym and work on your weakness.… Nothing’s going to be handed to you.” His words helped push her back into the grind, and she’s been on a mission ever since.
Turns out, Edwards’ influence on her started long before that pep talk. Watching him grind through three-a-day practices as a kid inspired Johnson to adopt a similarly fierce work ethic. “I saw him putting in that work, and I was like, if he’s doing it, I have to be doing it too,” she said.
Now, as Johnson eyes her future on the court and Edwards continues his rise in the NBA, the two friends still keep each other in check. Just don’t expect her to let him forget who really runs their one-on-one games.
Raven Johnson and Anthony Edwards: proof that the best friendships come with a side of savage competition and just the right amount of shade.