Indiana Fever’s New Addition: Raven Johnson

Raven Johnson, recently drafted by the Indiana Fever with the No. 10 pick in the WNBA Draft, will join forces with Caitlin Clark, despite their heated rivalry in the past.

During the 2023 NCAA Women’s Final Four, Johnson’s South Carolina Gamecocks faced off against Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes. A memorable moment from the game occurred when Clark opted to leave Johnson and double-team another player instead. This moment sparked a viral video of Clark waving to Johnson, which later led to ridicule directed at Johnson on social media.

“I was heavily influenced by the Internet,” Johnson reflected in a podcast last March. “That incident made me develop a strong dislike for it, honestly. I faced a lot of negativity—people calling me names and, at one point, I thought about quitting basketball. I just wanted to escape and be alone.”

Despite that challenging experience, Johnson expressed enthusiasm about playing alongside Clark. After being drafted, she named Clark as the teammate she was most eager to join in the pros.

When asked about her excitement for joining the Fever, Johnson quickly mentioned, “Caitlin Clark.” She went on to describe Clark as an exceptional player, noting her shooting ability, leadership skills, and overall winning mindset, which Johnson believes are significant assets.

The Fever seem to be building a solid roster for the 2026 season, positioning themselves as strong championship contenders. Key players like Kelsey Mitchell, Lexi Hull, and Sophie Cunningham have all re-signed, while veteran Monique Billings was added through free agency. Currently, the Fever have the fourth-best odds to claim the WNBA title in 2026, trailing behind the Minnesota Lynx, the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces, and the New York Liberty.

Looking ahead, the Fever are focused on finishing what they started in the previous season, where their playoffs ended in a narrow overtime loss to the Las Vegas Aces.