Raven Johnson has been turning heads ever since she joined the Indiana Fever, but her latest moment in the spotlight has nothing to do with basketball. Known for her commanding performances as a floor general during the preseason, the rookie guard surprised everyone with a lighthearted comment about head coach Stephanie White that had the entire room laughing.
During a media availability session on Monday, Johnson was asked what she had learned from White. Instead of the typical X's and O's answer, she delivered a playful compliment that caught even the reporters off guard.
"She's funny. Don't tell her this, but her wife came to practice the other day and I was like, dang! You got some taste in there," Johnson said with a grin. "She has a little bit of taste for her. Her wife is beautiful."
The comment immediately drew smiles and applause from the room, offering a rare glimpse into the personal side of the Fever's coaching staff. White has been in a relationship with veteran journalist Lisa Salters since 2016. While the couple is private, they are often referred to as partners and share a home in Nashville with White's three children from a previous marriage and Salters' child. Salters, a longtime ESPN and ABC reporter known for covering the NBA and "Monday Night Football," has been a steady presence in White's corner.
Though they keep a low profile compared to other high-profile queer couples in sports, White and Salters have consistently shown up for each other. Last year, White took time off from coaching—even missing a game against the Golden State Valkyries—to be with Salters during her mother's illness. Most recently, Salters attended a Fever training camp to support White, which is where Johnson got the chance to meet her.
Johnson's candid comment has sparked a warm reaction across the basketball community, with fans appreciating the rookie's authenticity and the human moment it revealed. In a league where connections off the court often matter as much as the action on it, this small glimpse into the Fever's family-like atmosphere is a reminder that basketball is about more than just the game.