There is no credible information indicating that South Carolina basketball player Tessa Johnson has received the Maxwell Award. The Maxwell Award is traditionally given to the most outstanding player in college football, not basketball.
Tessa Johnson’s Achievements:
- High School Career: Johnson was a standout player at St. Michael-Albertville High School in Minnesota. She overcame a broken leg in her sophomore year and led her team to a Class 4A state championship as a senior. She was named Minnesota Miss Basketball, Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year, and a McDonald’s All-American.
- College Career: As a freshman at the University of South Carolina, Johnson played a key role in the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship game, scoring a team-high 19 points in an 87–75 win over Iowa. She finished the season averaging 6.2 points per game.
Clarification on the Maxwell Award:
The Maxwell Award has been presented annually since 1937 to the best college football player in the nation. It is not awarded in basketball. Recent winners of the Maxwell Award in football include Caleb Williams (USC, 2022) and Jayden Daniels (LSU, 2023).
While Johnson has received national recognition for her impressive performances, she has not won the Maxwell Award. Any such claims are likely based on misinformation or confusion with another award. For official updates on awards and honors, it is best to refer to reliable sources such as the NCAA, ESPN, or South Carolina Athletics.
