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Caitlin Clark made Raven Johnson want to quit basketball — now they're Indiana Fever teammates after WNBA Draft
TL;DR
Caitlin Clark's actions during a national championship game made Raven Johnson consider quitting basketball. Now, both players are teammates on the Indiana Fever following the WNBA Draft.
Caitlin Clark made Raven Johnson want to quit basketball — now they're Indiana Fever teammates after WNBA Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Caitlin Clark waved Raven Johnson off.
It was the national championship game, and South Carolina's Johnson had the ball beyond the 3-point arc, and Iowa's Clark had so little interest in guarding her that she literally waved her hand as if to say, "Don't worry about her."
The journey has come in a bizarrely full circle.
Clark and Johnson are now teammates.
The Indiana Fever took Johnson with a first-round pick on Monday night in the WNBA Draft. Clark is entering her third year with the Fever, and Johnson will join her in the backcourt.
They might have at least a few words to say to one another. After all, Johnson once said that moment made her want to quit basketball.
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In Johnson, the Fever aren't getting a super high-usage player. Instead, they're getting a winner.
She was a two-time national champion with the Gamecocks, including in that game against Clark.
This past season, she averaged 9.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.
Johnson also became a great shooter -- she was at 39.8% from beyond the arc in 2025-26. That's a skill, ironically, that could prove greatly useful alongside the playmaking Clark.
It certainly is quite the combination. From Clark's national championship indifference to Johnson to what surely they're hoping becomes a great partnership with the Fever.
More WNBA news:
Q&A
Why did Raven Johnson want to quit basketball after the national championship game?
Raven Johnson felt discouraged after Caitlin Clark's dismissive defense during the game, which led her to consider quitting the sport.
What team did Caitlin Clark and Raven Johnson join after the WNBA Draft?
Caitlin Clark and Raven Johnson both became teammates on the Indiana Fever after the WNBA Draft.
What happened during the national championship game between Caitlin Clark and Raven Johnson?
During the national championship game, Caitlin Clark waved off Raven Johnson, indicating she was not concerned about defending her, which impacted Johnson's feelings about basketball.