Raven Johnson
Who Is Raven Johnson?
Raven Johnson is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Indiana Fever selected her with the 10th overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. She wears jersey number 3 for the Fever.
Johnson, a 5-foot-8 guard from Atlanta, spent five years at South Carolina, where she won two national championships with the Gamecocks and was a three-year starter. Furthermore, as a senior in 2025–26, Johnson was named an Associated Press third-team All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
Her story is one of perseverance, heartbreak, and ultimately triumph — on the grandest stage in women’s college basketball, and now in the WNBA.
Early Life: Growing Up in Atlanta, Georgia
A Basketball Family in Atlanta
Raven Johnson was born on March 4, 2003, in Atlanta, Georgia. She is the daughter of Shekia Johnson and has a twin brother named Richard.
Atlanta is one of the most competitive basketball cities in America. Because of this, young Raven had every opportunity to sharpen her skills from an early age. She trained and competed in local youth leagues in Georgia, where the city’s rich basketball heritage provided an early nurturing environment.
High School Career: Westlake and Four State Championships
Johnson prepped at Westlake High School in Atlanta, Georgia, and was named the 2020–21 MaxPreps national player of the year after winning her fourth consecutive state championship.
Raven, along with Ta’Niya Latson, helped Westlake win four straight Georgia state championships, including 7A titles in 2018, 2019, and 2020, and the 6A crown in 2021.
Therefore, by the time she graduated, Johnson had never known a losing season. She had never known anything but winning.
National Recognition: Naismith Award and Historic Iverson Classic
Johnson is the winner of the 2021 Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Trophy, presented by the Atlanta Tipoff Club — becoming only the second Gamecock signee to win the award, joining A’ja Wilson, who claimed it in 2014.
Additionally, she made history on the national stage. She was ranked as the No. 1 high school point guard in the country by recruiters and scouts. Moreover, Johnson became the first woman to play in a men’s All-American Game at the 2021 Iverson Classic.
This was not a token gesture. Johnson received the loudest ovation during introductions that day. She had earned her place in that game — on merit alone.
College Career: Five Years at South Carolina
Arriving as One of the Nation’s Top Recruits
Johnson enrolled at South Carolina in 2021. She headlined South Carolina’s top-ranked recruiting class, which also featured No. 3 prospect Saniya Rivers, No. 4 prospect Sania Feagin, and No. 14 prospect Aubryanna Hall.
Coach Dawn Staley had recruited her with clear eyes. “Raven is an absolute star,” Staley said at the time. “She’s talented, driven, and makes everyone around her better both on and off the court.”
Freshman Year: Heartbreak and Resilience (2021–22)
The start of her college career was not what anyone imagined. Two games into Johnson’s freshman year, she tore her ACL, ending her season.
However, she did not disappear. She’s never missed a Final Four in her five-year career, though she was sidelined most of 2022 after tearing her ACL two games into the season.
Johnson was a bright-eyed freshman when South Carolina won the national championship in 2022. She watched from the sidelines. She watched her teammates celebrate. She told herself that one day, she would be on that court when it mattered.
Rising Sophomore: SEC All-Freshman Team (2022–23)
Johnson returned to the court in 2022–23 as an official freshman by eligibility. She earned a spot on the 2022–23 SEC All-Freshman Team, showing the basketball world that her ACL recovery had not diminished her abilities.
She played in 36 games that season, averaging 4.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. She was learning. She was growing. She was becoming who she needed to be.
The 2024 National Championship: A Dream Fulfilled
The 2024 NCAA Tournament brought Johnson her first championship ring as an active participant. She played a pivotal role in securing the Gamecocks’ national championships in 2022 and 2024.
Johnson averaged career highs in points (10.2), assists (5.3), and field goal percentage (50.0). She also shot a career-best 41.4% from the 3-point line during that dominant stretch.
That season validated everything — the surgery, the long recovery, the patience. Johnson had waited. Now she had her moment.
Senior Season and Return: Back to the Title Game (2025–26)
After four years of eligibility, Johnson made the bold decision to return for a fifth and final season. Johnson had redshirted her freshman year following a torn ACL, so even though she had finished her fourth year and walked on senior day, she had the option of returning for a fifth season.
She took it. She started a program-record 40 games in her final season, leading South Carolina back to the national championship game and another SEC regular-season title.
As a senior in 2025–26, she averaged 9.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, shooting 48.6 percent from the field and 39.8 percent from the 3-point range.
The accolades reflected her leadership. Johnson was named an Associated Press third-team All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Furthermore, she was the first Gamecock selected in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
The Bond With Coach Dawn Staley
One of the most meaningful relationships of Johnson’s college career was with head coach Dawn Staley. “I don’t worry about winning because Raven’s a winner,” Staley said.
For Staley, there is also admiration for the player Johnson has become given the adversity she endured. Johnson’s ACL injury, her recovery, her perseverance through criticism — Staley witnessed all of it. She remained in Johnson’s corner every step of the way.
The night before the national semifinal against UConn, Staley let Johnson decide whether the team needed one last video session to prepare. The senior concluded that more study time was necessary. That decision-making trust spoke volumes about the respect Staley had for Johnson’s leadership.
Professional Career: Indiana Fever (2026–Present)
The 2026 WNBA Draft
The Indiana Fever selected Raven Johnson with the 10th overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft on Monday night. The draft took place at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert personally presented Johnson with her team jersey.
Johnson’s reaction was immediate and heartfelt. “To hear your name get called, you dream of times like this,” Johnson said. “So for a team to believe in me and draft me, it means a lot. I just want to say thank you to Indiana.”
Johnson signed her rookie contract on April 18, 2026.
Joining the Fever: Reunited With a Familiar Face
Johnson joined a talented Indiana backcourt that includes Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, and Aliyah Boston, her former South Carolina teammate.
The reunion with Aliyah Boston — her college teammate and two-time national champion — gave Johnson an instant support system at the professional level. Furthermore, the Fever gave her a team already accustomed to winning.
Preseason Debut: Eight Assists on First Night
Johnson saw 18 pro minutes in the Fever’s 109–91 win over New York in the WNBA preseason opener, registering six points and eight assists on 3-for-3 shooting in her WNBA debut.
“I thought Raven did a great job,” said head coach Stephanie White.
That first night set the tone. She was not there to watch. She was there to play.
Regular Season and Breakout Moment
Johnson delivered her best regular-season game against the Golden State Valkyries, where she tied Caitlin Clark for the team high with 16 points on 7-for-10 shooting. She also knocked down two three-pointers and contributed five rebounds and two assists.
Kelsey Mitchell celebrated the performance on Instagram, writing “baby rook,” alongside emojis signifying her excitement and affection for Johnson.
Head coach Stephanie White showed more trust in Johnson by giving her 21 minutes of playing time in that game.
2026 Season Final Stats
In the 2026 regular season, Johnson appeared in 39 games, averaging 10.9 minutes, 3.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, shooting 40.8 percent from the field.
In the playoffs, she elevated. Johnson appeared in 3 playoff games, averaging 20.7 minutes, 7.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.3 assists, and 1.0 steals, shooting 58.8 percent from the field. Her playoff shooting percentage of 58.8 percent highlighted the growth she showed when the stakes were highest.
Playing Style: The Defensive Heartbeat
Raven Johnson is, first and foremost, a defender. Her long arms, quick feet, and high basketball IQ make her one of the most disruptive perimeter defenders in the game.
However, she is far more than a one-dimensional player. Her court vision as a point guard creates opportunities for teammates. Her improved three-point shooting — 39.8% in her final college season — gives defenses pause. Most importantly, she makes her team better simply by being on the floor.
Johnson brings championship experience, strong defense, and steady playmaking to the Fever. These are not qualities that show up in a box score. They show up in wins.
Personal Life and Family
Raven Johnson keeps her personal life largely private. She has a twin brother named Richard. Her mother, Shekia Johnson, has been a constant presence in her life and career.
She grew up in Atlanta, Georgia — one of the most basketball-rich cities in America. That environment shaped her competitive instincts and her relentless work ethic from a young age.
Off the court, Johnson has shown a commitment to community service. Her off-court presence earned her the 2024 SEC Community Service Award, a testament to her character.
Career Highlights at a Glance
| Year | Achievement |
|---|---|
| 2020, 2021 | Miss Georgia Basketball (Westlake High School) |
| 2021 | Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Trophy |
| 2021 | McDonald’s All-American |
| 2021 | MaxPreps National Player of the Year |
| 2021 | First woman to play in men’s Iverson Classic All-American Game |
| 2022 | South Carolina NCAA National Champion (injured — redshirt year) |
| 2022–23 | SEC All-Freshman Team |
| 2024 | South Carolina NCAA National Champion (active participant) |
| 2025–26 | AP Third-Team All-American |
| 2025–26 | SEC Defensive Player of the Year |
| 2025–26 | Program-record 40 starts (South Carolina) |
| 2026 | 1st round, 10th pick — Indiana Fever, 2026 WNBA Draft |
| 2026 | First Gamecock selected in 2026 WNBA Draft |
College Career Statistics
| Season | Games | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 | — | Did not play (ACL injury) | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022–23 | 36 | 4.2 | 2.6 | 3.4 | 1.1 | 43.8% | 24.1% |
| 2023–24 | — | 8.1 | 5.2 | 4.8 | 2.1 | 44.3% | 35.0% |
| 2024–25 | 39 | 4.9 | 4.5 | 2.8 | 1.4 | 35.0% | 29.5% |
| 2025–26 | 40 | 9.9 | 4.0 | 5.1 | 1.5 | 48.6% | 39.8% |
WNBA Career Statistics (2026)
| Season | Team | G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (Regular) | Indiana Fever | 39 | 10.9 | 3.1 | 1.7 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 40.8% | 23.4% |
| 2026 (Playoffs) | Indiana Fever | 3 | 20.7 | 7.3 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 58.8% | 20.0% |
