While the Indiana Fever left a lot of fans bewildered after picking Raven Johnson as the 10th pick in the WNBA Draft, her first few statements hint at the potential of brewing a special partnership with Caitlin Clark & Co.

Few expected the Fever to go with Raven Johnson as their pick, especially with players like Madina Okot, Nell Angloma, Cotie McMahon, and even Gianna Kneepkens still on the draft board. However, as the South Carolina college star attended her first conference as a Fever, she highlighted key things that should settle fans’ concerns.

Highlighting her willingness to learn from the Fever stars while also pointing out her inquisitive and playful personality, Raven Johnson said, “Yeah, Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, I’m gonna learn a lot from them.”

“I’m gonna be a sponge. I’m gonna probably be a gnat, too, because I’m gonna ask them a lot of questions. I’m probably gonna get on their nerves too because of my personality. I like to joke a little bit,” Raven answered before concluding, “But honestly, they win. They like to win, and I think that’s really big when looking at a program like that. And as I said, they have a chance of winning the WNBA, so I’m happy about that.”

Raven is mainly being brought into the lineup to add defensive coverage in the guard role. The South Carolina star was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year this season, and also earned WBCA Coaches’ All-American honors. The latter highlights her being coachable, which will be a big plus for Stephanie White & Co.

The last Raven Johnson, Caitlin Clark story that made the headlines is still fresh in fans’ memories, perhaps. In a game between Iowa and South Carolina, Caitlin Clark was guarding Raven Johnson at the top of the key when Clark decided to wave her off, leaving Johnson completely open to take the three-point shot, alluding to her poor long-range shooting.

While this represents a chance for a fresh start, the two-time National Champion hasn’t forgotten that moment and recently opened up about the aftereffects of Clark’s infamous wave-off.

Raven Johnson talks about the aftereffects of Caitlin Clark’s wave-off

In the 2023 Final Four game, Caitlin Clark refused to guard Raven Johnson on the perimeter, leaving her wide open for a three-point shot. Raven’s choice to pass instead created a viral moment that still haunts Caitlin’s newest Fever teammate. While Raven exacted revenge in the 2024 National Championship game, producing a defensive masterclass guarding Caitlin, the viral wave-off had massive repercussions for her.

On the ‘I Am Next’ podcast, Raven Johnson opened up about the aftermath of the 2023 incident, revealing that the situation drove her to contemplate early retirement.

“I was all over the internet,” Johnson said on the I Am Next podcast. “That’s one reason I hate the internet now, because of that situation. I got bashed. I got bullied. I got called all these things that I wasn’t… It was just things like that, and 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.”

She recovered from it in style, and the following seasons have been her best ones in college basketball. Now, the two players will be sharing the same locker room, supporting each other on the floor. Raven’s defensive coverage will help Caitlin Clark be more aggressive and open up more offensively.

The two will now hope their skill sets complement each other, helping lead the franchise to the WNBA Championship.