The Indiana Fever have secured a major backcourt addition, selecting South Carolina's standout point guard Raven Johnson with the 10th overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. Johnson arrives in Indianapolis with a championship pedigree, having helped lead the Gamecocks to a dominant 145-9 record over her collegiate career.
At 5'9", Johnson is a dynamic two-way player who averaged 9.9 points, 5.1 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. Her elite defensive intensity earned her the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award, while her efficient shooting—48.6% from the field, 39.8% from three, and 82% from the line—makes her an immediate offensive threat.
Fever coach Stephanie White couldn't hide her excitement, praising Johnson's winning mentality and readiness. "First and foremost, she's a winner," White said. "She's immediately ready on the defensive end, which is something that we need... She's experienced in big game moments. Just really excited that she fell to us."
Johnson's leadership and court vision were legendary at South Carolina, where she dished out 202 assists as a senior—the fourth-most in program history—and finished third all-time with 612 career assists. Her coach, Dawn Staley, called her presence "a comfort," while teammate Maryam Dauda described her as "the head of the snake" who sets the tone for lockdown intensity.
This pick signals the Fever's commitment to building a tough, smart, and competitive roster. Johnson's proven ability to perform under pressure and orchestrate an offense will be invaluable as Indiana looks to climb the standings in the coming seasons.
