Raven Johnson was selected by the Indiana Fever as the 10th overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft last month, and has steadily proven that she deserves a spot on the team ever since. And from the sound of it, the Fever's head coach Stephanie White can only agree.
While speaking to reporters Thursday for the Fever's preseason game against the Dallas Wings, White noted that Johnson is a "sponge" who has no problem asking questions and putting herself in the right position to learn. That's something she likely picked up on early at South Carolina, where she spent five years playing for Dawn Staley.
Like Staley, Johnson is a powerful and dynamic point guard. She brings a lot of energy and tenacity to the Fever, two things the team can never have enough of.
The game against the Wings was also Johnson's preseason debut at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and she made the most out of having the opportunity to shine on the court. Though the Fever were missing Lexi Hull and Aliyah Boston, who are both dealing with injuries, and lost as a result, Johnson put in a strong effort.
Johnson also received a lot of praise from her teammates. Makayla Timpson, who was drafted to the team last year, told reporters that Johnson adds to the team's defense in a way that has been sorely needed. “She’s always winning that category in deflections, if she makes a turnover, she wants to get it back for us," she said. "We need that energy on defense.”
Johnson's skills aren't only limited to the defensive side of the game. She adds a lot to the Fever's guard depth — an area the team had to grow rapidly last season after Caitlin Clark suffered a series of injuries — and she excels at making plays. So it seems that part of the team's task will simply be getting Johnson more time on the floor, something else White spoke to.
Like a lot of newcomers to the league, Johnson has plenty that she'll need to work on. Her scoring has been a concern since her collegiate days, but she spent each of her years at South Carolina proving that she can work hard and more than make up for any deficits on the court. She'll also have plenty of time to work on scoring the longer she's with Indiana, and can grow under the guidance of the team's veterans and coaching staff.
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