The Indiana Fever, who made it to the WNBA Semifinals last year, head into the 2026-2027 season with significant movement in both the draft and free agency period.
The Indiana Fever had the No. 10 pick and selected Raven Johnson from the University of South Carolina in the first round of the 2026 WNBA draft. Johnson, a 5-foot-8 guard from Atlanta, Georgia, won two national championships (2022,2024) and reached the Final Four in all five of her seasons with the Gamecocks.
She was named All-American and SEC defensive player of the year this past NCAA season, and led South Carolina to the NCAA National Championship Game against UCLA alongside notable guard Tessa Johnson. According to ESPN, Johnson, during her final season with South Carolina, averaged 9.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game, shooting 48.6% from the field and 39.8% from the 3-point line.
Johnson will be joining former collegiate teammate Aliyah Boston at Indiana, who Johnson has said helped guide her through her early college experience. In her post-draft presser, she credited Boston with teaching her about professional habits and said Boston instills so much in young people. Johnson also made it clear that she is ready to learn from several of the experienced players on the Fever.
“Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell — I think I’ll learn a lot from them,” Johnson said. “I’m going to be a sponge. I’m probably going to be gnat, too, because I’m going to ask them a lot of questions. They like to win. I think that’s really big.”
Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White also expressed enthusiasm about the move in a post-draft interview.
“She’s won at every level, she’s set the tone at every level. She’s immediately ready on the defensive end of the floor, which is something that we need.” White said. ”She’s been a true point guard playing for the greatest point guard that’s played the game…and she’s experienced in big-time moments. Really excited that she fell to us.”
The Fever also had two additional picks in the draft. Forward Justine Pissott from Vanderbilt University was chosen with the No. 25 pick, and guard Jessica Timmons from the University of Alabama was chosen with the No. 40. Despite significant injuries throughout the season, including one to veteran guard Kelsey Mitchell, the team continues to revamp following a 2025-2026 season that ended in Game 5 of the WNBA semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces.
The team has been very active this offseason, re-signing several key players from last year’s roster, including guards Kelsey Michell, Lexi Hull, Sophie Cunningham and forward Damiris Dantas. Additionally, the Fever have made several new additions to their roster during free agency, including veteran forwards Monique Billings and Myisha Hines-Allen, as well as Indiana native and guard Tyasha Harris.
Jocelyn Quintana is a sophomore majoring in communications studies and psychology. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing piano, and keeping up with her favorite basketball, baseball, and soccer teams.
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