The 2026 season is just around the corner, and all the speculations will now have to stop for the actual action on the floor. Las Vegas Aces, New York Liberty and Indiana Fever are among the top five teams for the season, with the teams having deep rosters. As for the Indy team, their 2026 rookie, Raven Johnson, made a huge impact coming off the bench in preseason games.
Coach Stephanie White also lauded her versatile rookie, who is looking to make an immediate impact on the team, contending for a championship.
Stephanie White Praises Raven Johnson
The Fever front office managed to keep most of the 2025 roster in the upcoming season and even added a few impactful stars like Monique Billings and Johnson via free agency and the WNBA draft. While the team’s aim is to win the title, these additions would be difference makers for the team.
Talking about the 2026 rookie, the coach said, “The other thing I love offensively is she’s a kick-ahead guard. She’s an outstanding defensive rebounder. She can get in there, get an outlet, and she’s going to throw it ahead. She’s really going to ignite the pace with which we play.”
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The versatile star has already shown her capabilities under Dawn Staley, playing for South Carolina. Shining in the toughest SEC, the player finds it easy to adjust to the WNBA level.
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While the coach calls for chemistry among teammates for better results on the floor, the South Carolina star gave a shoutout to the leader, Caitlin Clark, who helped form a strong bond early in the season. The former Iowa star also took the rookie under her wings and lauded her eagerness to learn.
Caitlin Clark Loves Raven Johnson’s Eagerness
The 2024 rookie is very competitive and loves her teammates to follow the same passion for the game. So far, the guard found solid fire with the backup rookie and had great praise for her.
“Raven is a very, very aggressive defender. She picks up 94 feet. She has very active hands. And I think the thing that I really loved about her since really coming into camp is like, she’s a sponge. She wants to learn as much as she can. She asks more questions than anybody,” Clark said.
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“They’re really great questions. She wants to learn. She wants to figure out ways that are not only going to make her better, but also how she can make the Fever better,” the star added.
With impressive performances from the rookie, the Indiana team could clinch its second title in the league, as the team already showed its capability in the 2025 season.