Raven Johnson’s journey to the WNBA has been shaped by an impressive résumé and a family that backed her every step of the way. The Indiana Fever guard was a two-time NCAA champion at South Carolina and previously earned Naismith Prep Player of the Year honors at Westlake High School in Atlanta, Georgia.

But behind those achievements is a family that played a major role in helping Johnson fall in love with basketball and push through its toughest moments. From her grandparents introducing her to sports to her mother’s constant support throughout her career, Johnson has often credited her family for helping shape the player she is today.

Now, as she begins the next chapter of her career with the Fever, here’s a closer look at her parents, upbringing, and the family behind her basketball journey.

Who Is Raven Johnson’s Mother, Shekia Johnson?

Raven Johnson’s mother, Shekia Johnson, has been with her every step of the way. She was the one who took the young player to all tournaments, practices, and more. In fact, her mother rarely ever misses a single tournament. The family’s home is located in Atlanta, Georgia, where Raven Johnson grew up.

Shekia Johnson’s support was so immense that Raven Johnson felt it was only right for her to gift her mother a car. “She does so much for me, I owe her a car,” she said in an interview with The Greenville News in 2025.

“She sacrificed so much for me, my brothers and our family overall. I owe her that car, that moment. It was very surreal, seeing her so happy and the smile on her face. It made me light up.”

In 2025, she finally used her NIL earnings to buy her a new Nissan. Raven Johnson’s mother keeps her life fairly private, so not much is known about her occupation at the time.

However, her contributions to the player’s career are very well known. In 2021, during her college career, the young basketball star suffered a terrifying knee injury while playing against South Dakota.

She was convinced she’d never be able to walk again. Shekia Johnson was one of the biggest reasons she didn’t give up. “You’ve got to fight for what you want,” she told her, helping her push through the terribly difficult moment.

Who Is Raven Johnson’s Father?

Not much is known about Raven Johnson’s father’s identity. She was raised primarily by her mother along with her grandparents, Rodrick and Connie Boone. Johnson has previously stated that she lovingly calls her grandfather “papa” and her grandmom “mother.”

In fact, it was Rodrick Boone who taught her basketball at a young age. He was a Sergeant First Class in the Army Reserve, and for him, training was all about discipline.

“I remember being outside, and he was training us, and I thought it was so hard. I wanted to give up,” Johnson told USA Today in a 2026 interview. I used to cry, and he would be like, ‘You’re not going to cry in my face, and you’re not going to give up.’ It was little things like that that made me tough.”

What Are Raven Johnson’s Parents’ Ethnicity and Nationality?

Raven Johnson and her mother are of African American descent. The family lived in Atlanta, where the young basketball player grew up.

Raven Johnson has also been quite active in supporting the African-American community. Her mother has also thoroughly supported her in these initiatives. In 2026, the WNBA star gifted her former high school team Wilson’s signature Nike A’One sneakers. The two remain incredibly dedicated to the community.

Does Raven Johnson Have Siblings?

Yes, Raven Johnson has a twin brother named Richard. Interestingly, at the age of five, their grandfather taught them both basketball. “They used to call us ‘thriller killer’ because he had the offense and I had the defense,” Johnson told The Atlanta Voice in 2021. “Playing with my twin brother and granddad made me want to play.”

Not much is known about what Richard Johnson does or where he lives as of the time of writing. However, the siblings were very close growing up, and he tries to watch his sister play whenever possible.

He was present for her when her team made it to the top 16 during the 2026 NCAA tournament run. Like her mother, he’s been an integral part of her basketball journey.

Who Are Raven Johnson’s Grandparents?

As mentioned earlier, Raven Johnson’s grandparents are Connie and Rodrick Boone. The pair trained the twins at an early age through their church and put them through grueling basketball practice.

Their contribution was instrumental in her formative years. Unfortunately, Rodrick Boone passed away in 2013 after being diagnosed with stomach cancer earlier in 2012. In fact, it happened when Johnson was playing at a tournament in New Orleans.

“I remember I shut down,” Johnson said after his passing. “My mind went blank. I was like ‘What?’ I thought he was untouchable.”

Her grandmother, Connie Boone, later stated that her grandfather would have been proud of what the young basketball player has become today. For Raven Johnson, her grandfather is her “why”. He’s why she keeps going.

How Did Raven Johnson’s Family Influence Her Basketball Career?

Raven Johnson’s family played a major role in shaping her basketball career from an early age. Her grandparents, Richard and Connie Boone, helped raise Raven and her twin brother, Richard, and introduced them to sports.

Raven has credited them with laying the foundation for her athletic journey, saying, “My grandparents did a really good job. We wouldn’t be playing sports if it wasn’t for them.”Her late grandfather, Richard Johnson, was particularly influential.

Raven recalled that he pushed her and her brother to participate in sports and eventually put them in basketball at their local recreation center. Looking back, she said she understood that his strict approach was meant to teach them to give their all to something. “If you really know me for real, you know I wouldn’t be in this position if it weren’t for him,” Raven wrote.

Her mother, Shekia Johnson, became another constant source of support throughout Raven’s development. She drove her to practices and games growing up and stayed with her during the difficult moments of her career.

After Raven considered quitting basketball following South Carolina’s 2023 Final Four loss, Shekia gave her some tough love, telling her, “If you let that one thing make you quit, then you’re weak.”Raven has continued to acknowledge that support as her career progressed.

During the 2026 NCAA tournament, she said, “You got family. Family means a lot to me. I think they helped me get over hard times.” Her family’s influence therefore extended beyond helping her reach the court. They provided the encouragement, discipline, and emotional support that helped Raven continue playing through setbacks and ultimately reach the WNBA.