Pick No.5. That’s where Flau’jae Johnson finds herself in the way-too-early 2026 mock drafts. Growing from a cocky freshman to a leader with a national title to her name, the Big 4 is already making her way to the scouts’ lists. And that did not come by without a little guidance. “That’s just my sister. Just teaching me how to be a good teammate, a good leader, and take on different roles,” she had admitted, speaking of Angel Reese. But where the Chi-Town Barbie once held hands, it seems like Caitlin Clark’s taking the reins as Johnson nears her next chapter.

The LSU Tigress is coming off an incredible run in the 2024-25 collegiate season. With an average of 18.6 points and 5.6 rebounds on 38.3% shooting from the three, Johnson had the best campaign of her career. Kim Mulkey trusted her with the leadership role, too, and her teammates would attest she showed up. But don’t expect the young guard to stop there. Seems like she’s straight up learning from the best to strengthen her case.

“I text her asking for advice all the time. I’m like ‘how you shoot like this?’ and ‘why do you do that?'” she revealed during an interview with Complex News. “Because she is one of the greatest shooters in the world. I feel like, I just be trying to get tips and she like the coolest for willing to help.” 

Having recorded 100+ 3s while averaging 41.7% from the field as a rookie in the league, Johnson couldn’t have turned to anyone better, especially when her shooting is on a surge itself. Last season, she posted a career-best 3-point shooting percentage (38.3), made 3-pointers (49), and free throw percentage (81.0). The Big 4 is treading the path of growth– people are anticipating a landing spot in the Chicago Sky. But unfortunately, this time, Angel Reese remains amiss in the journey. Johnson has made that quite clear.

“We’re not friends,” the LSU guard admitted during her appearance on The Breakfast Club this Monday. No one can take away their championship-winning bond and experience from them, but the duo seems to be finally moving past their friendship. On the other hand, Johnson’s admiration for Clark has been louder than ever.

Just this May, she name-dropped the Indiana Fever icon in her rap song ‘Help Me,’ that goes, “Double-C on my jacket like Caitlin Clark.” Now, she is highlighting the attributes that make Clark stand out while announcing she is going to be a regular at Indiana games. “She just got this ‘keep going’ mentality. Bad games, whatever. Like, keep going to kill. She really got that kill mentality. And that’s something that a lot of athletes don’t have, people who could like turn that on and off. But I don’t think she turn it off,” Johnson added in the interview.

But while that’s all good, Clark is going through a little rough patch herself.

Caitlin Clark’s return looks bleak as Indiana Fever progresses this season

Despite averaging 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 9.3 assists for Indiana Fever this season, Clark’s blueprint looks to have run out of ink. The athlete was sidelined from the roster owing to a left quad sprain. And though she has travelled with the team, is she the one to sit uptight and observe? Well, if you know Clark, you know exactly what I am saying.

She was on the bench, directing her teammates, shouting and instructing them to utilise the paint. She even went up to the referees for her team. And as everyone waited in anticipation, hoping for her return to the active roster, Fever released a statement. Clark was expected to be back on court for the game against the Atlanta Dream on the 10th of June. But just a day before the match was about to commence, Stephanie White cleared the air.

“Not for tomorrow, no,” was how the head coach addressed Clark’s return. Furthermore, she informed that neither Caitin Clark nor Sophie Cunningham have completely recovered to join their team.

While this news comes as an upset to the Fever’s locker room, they have dished impressive performances in Clark’s absence. Players Kelsey Mitchell and Lexi Hull have taken the reins of the roster on their shoulders, while newcomer in Aari McDonald has bolstered team’s spirit and gotten the Fever back on track. And though Caitlin Clark’s return looks bleak, seems like the Indiana Fever will survive without the star player.