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2026 WNBA Draft: Here's who could fit with the Indiana Fever
TL;DR
The Indiana Fever hold the No. 10 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, coinciding with free agency where they have already filled nine roster spots. The new CBA allows for two developmental spots, providing the Fever with added flexibility during this period.
INDIANAPOLIS — The 2026 WNBA Draft is here.
The Indiana Fever have the No. 10 pick in the draft, which comes in the middle of free agency — the Fever having filled nine roster spots already.
The new CBA introduced two developmental spots on rosters, which allows teams to keep two additional players on a development squad that practices with the team and can be active for a set number of games per season. That will allow the Fever some flexibility while going through the free agency and draft process at the same time.
Here are a few players in the draft who could fit with the Fever this year:
Raven Johnson, G, South Carolina
Mar 21, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Raven Johnson (25) passes against the Southern Jaguars in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Mocked No. 10 to the Fever by USA Today.
Raven Johnson is known, more than anything, as a defensive stalwart. Johnson, a fifth-year senior at South Carolina, had her best season yet in 2025-26, averaging 9.8 points, 5.1 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game.
As a 5-foot-8 guard, she won SEC Defensive Player of the Year this season at South Carolina. She also improved her mark from 3-point range to a career-high 39%. That kind of versatility and defensive intensity could be exactly what the Fever need behind starting point guard Cailtin Clark.
Indiana needs depth at point guard, especially with its history of injuries in 2025. So, even if the Fever return Aari McDonald, who backed up Clark last year, Johnson could take up one of the two spots on the development squad.
Madina Okot, C, South Carolina
South Carolina center Madina Okot (11) makes a free throw against University of Southern California Monday, March 23, 2026, during the first quarter NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina.
Mocked No. 10 to the Fever by ESPN.
Madina Okot, a 6-6 center, will be another prospect from South Carolina’s factory of dominant bigs, akin to the Fever’s Aliyah Boston and Chicago Sky’s Kamilla Cardoso.
Okot is averaging 12.6 points and 10.6 rebounds with the Gamecocks this season, shooting 57.5% from the field. She is not a threat from 3-point range, but she could pair well with Boston (who has been improving her 3-point shot) to create a dominant frontcourt.
USA Today previously had Okot mocked at No. 10 to the Fever. Okot has only played two seasons in the NCAA (one at Mississippi State, one at South Carolina), but the NCAA deemed her a senior because of her time playing at a university in Kenya.
Gabriela Jaquez, G, UCLA
Mocked No. 10 to the Fever by The Athletic.
Gabriela Jaquez, a 6-0 guard, is one of four UCLA players to be consistently mocked in the first round of the WNBA draft. She is averaging 13.6 points and 5.6 rebounds on 53.9% shooting this year as one of UCLA’s leaders both on and off the court.
Jaquez’s is a versatile player who can take on anything from wing to point guard, which is exactly what the Fever would need this season as they potentially work through a salary cap crunch this season with their big three. Though, perhaps, less so after re-signing Sophie Cunningham and Lexie Hull.
She could also be a good fit for a development spot, learning from Cunnigham and Hull if they both opt to return to Indiana.
Marta Suarez, F , TCU
Suarez, a 6-3 forward, hasn’t been specifically mocked to the Fever in drafts this season, but she could be the kind of stretch forward Indiana has been looking for. She is a fifth-year senior who played one season at TCU, and she has risen to the moment as the Horned Frogs dance through March Madness.
She is averaging a career-high 16.8 points and 7.4 rebounds at TCU this year, as well as 1.4 steals per game. She has developed a 3-point shot over her five years in college, shooting 37.3% on nearly six attempts per game this season.
Chloe Peterson is the Indiana Fever beat reporter for IndyStar. Reach her at capeterson@indystar.com or follow her on X at @chloepeterson67. Get IndyStar's Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter. Subscribe to IndyStar TV: Fever for in-depth analysis, behind-the-scenes coverage and more.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 2026 WNBA Draft: Who fits Indiana Fever roster? Raven Johnson, Gabriela Jaquez
Q&A
Who are the top prospects for the Indiana Fever in the 2026 WNBA Draft?
One notable prospect is Raven Johnson, a guard from South Carolina, who could fit well with the Fever.
What is the significance of the Indiana Fever's No. 10 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft?
The No. 10 pick allows the Fever to select a promising player while they navigate free agency and roster changes.
How does the new CBA affect the Indiana Fever's roster strategy?
The new CBA introduces two developmental spots, giving the Fever flexibility to develop additional players alongside their main roster.
How many roster spots have the Indiana Fever filled ahead of the 2026 WNBA Draft?
The Indiana Fever have filled nine roster spots as they prepare for the draft and free agency.
