There is a new gold standard in women’s college basketball. Since 2017 no team has won more championships than South Carolina. In the 2024 title game, they were led by freshman, Tessa Johnson.

“It was like, not a miracle because we worked for it, but like it was a miracle at the same time.”

Her miracle season almost didn’t happen. During a game as a high school sophomore, Tessa broke the largest bone in her body, her femur.

Tessa: “I would literally try to move my leg, it would literally be just the upper part of my leg and like this part wouldn’t move because the bone wasn’t attached.”

Will Dawson: “So you knew it was bad.”

Tessa: “Yes.”

Will: “Did you doubt being able to come back from that? Or were you kind of determined that you would?”

Tessa: “Both. I think my mindset went like

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