The Indiana Fever’s backcourt just became more fascinating following the 2026 WNBA Draft. By drafting South Carolina Gamecocks’ star guard, Raven Johnson, as the 10th overall pick, the Fever is pairing this premier NCAA defensive talent with their elite offensive anchor, Caitlin Clark.
While Clark and Johnson embody Indiana Fever’s hope towards an absolute dominance on the hardwood, the fans have been quick to revisit the frosty 2023 NCAA Final Four matchup that set a shaky undertone for this duo’s early collegiate careers.
Caitlin Clark and Raven Johnson: From Viral Disrespect to Fever Partnership
Clark’s viral wave-off of Johnson at the perimeter haunted Johnson, who told on the I am Next podcast that the moment led to severe online bullying and made her “hate the internet.” She confessed, “I just thought I wanted to quit basketball at that time. I wanted to go in this little bubble of isolation and just be by myself.”
Now, what was once a moment of disrespect is a partnership worth watching. After Johnson’s draft, the focus now shifts from a typical revenge to pursuing a championship along with Caitlin Clark, who is known to wreak havoc on the court as an offensive powerhouse.
The 5-foot-9 point guard arrives at Gainbridge Fieldhouse with a strong resume and a four-year, $1.29 million contract. Johnson is a two-time NCAA champion and has built a career on elite defensive intensity. She was named the 2025-26 SEC Defensive Player of the Year after averaging 1.5 steals per game and leading SCG to a 36-4 record (15-1 SEC).
MORE: ‘Caitlin Clark Effect’ — WNBA World Reacts as Fever Receive Record-Breaking 44 National TV Games
The Gamecocks finished as the SEC regular season champions for the 5th straight year. The 79-51 2026 NCAA title loss to UCLA earlier this month must have deeply hurt, but Raven Johnson seems to be excited to start this new chapter as a WNBA player.
“No, we haven’t. I think that’s in the past, honestly. We’re teammates now, and we have one goal, that’s to win a championship. …” said Johnson, addressing the past with Clark. She is expected to be Fever’s primary perimeter stopper. Despite not talking with Clark since 2023, Johnson made it clear that she’ll do everything she can to help her teammate in order to win a championship, because at the end of the day that remains their ultimate goal as professional players.
Raven Johnson’s Defensive Grit Meets Caitlin Clark’s Offensive Firepower
Johnson is known for her lockdown defense and was often tasked with guarding the opponent’s best scorer during her time with the Gamecocks. Her presence on the court will allow Clark to focus more on playmaking and scoring, helping solve many of the Fever’s backcourt defensive lapses.
Though this is purely theoretical for now, as anyone can build an invincible team on paper. But everything will become clear once this theory is put to use after the 2026 WNBA season kicks off on May 8. The Fever’s front office and the fans hope to see this combination lead them towards a golden future.
While the “wave-off” incident will remain a popular talking point for media and fans for years to come, Fever’s locker room reality appears to be strictly business. The Fever are betting that Clark’s range and Johnson’s capability will act as a catalyst for a deep playoff run during the upcoming season.
