Fever predicted to draft Angel Reese’s former teammate to help Caitlin Clark

TL;DR

The Indiana Fever are predicted to draft Flau'jae Johnson, a former teammate of Angel Reese, with the 10th overall pick to support Caitlin Clark. This prediction comes after recent changes in the draft board following free agency.

Fever predicted to draft Angel Reese’s former teammate to help Caitlin Clark originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It would be quite the draft night shake-up if the Indiana Fever were in position to draft one of Caitlin Clark's former NCAA rivals.

But after a busy weekend in free agency, where teams picking ahead of Clark's Fever on Monday night addressed various needs, the draft board could shake out to where Indiana would make some sense as a landing spot for one of Angel Reese's former LSU teammates.

MORE: Updated WNBA mock draft sees Azzi Fudd land with Wings, Lauren Betts join Lynx

The Athletic's Sabreena Merchant made the bold call Monday when she predicted the Fever would draft Flau'jae Johnson with the 10th overall pick in a revamped draft.

Indiana re-signed Sophie Cunningham, Lexie Hull and Kelsey Mitchell in free agency while adding an interior presence in Monique Billings. That leaves the Fever roster -- complete with Aliyah Boston and a now-healthy Clark -- without "obvious holes," which would give general manager Amber Cox the flexibility to go anywhere.

"Johnson makes sense for Indiana because she can play at Indiana’s pace and should excel in transition, even against WNBA athletes," Merchant writes.

Though Johnson's senior season at LSU ended with a surprise loss to Duke in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, the 5'10'' guard didn't really hurt her individual draft stock. The 2026 rookie class is deep, and even picks at the end of the first round figure to produce quickly in the WNBA.

Johnson is one of them. With an athletic build, electric speed and scoring ability, she fits in a lot of different WNBA systems. It would be intriguing to see her possible backcourt partnership with Clark, and how she might profile as Mitchell's long-term replacement if the All-WNBA guard leaves as a free agent in 2027.

More WNBA news:

Q&A

Who is Flau'jae Johnson and why is she being drafted by the Indiana Fever?

Flau'jae Johnson is a former teammate of Angel Reese at LSU, and she is predicted to be drafted by the Indiana Fever to enhance their roster alongside Caitlin Clark.

What impact will Flau'jae Johnson have on the Indiana Fever's performance?

Flau'jae Johnson's addition is expected to bolster the Fever's lineup, potentially improving their competitiveness in the upcoming season.

What position does Flau'jae Johnson play and how does it fit with Caitlin Clark's role?

Flau'jae Johnson primarily plays as a guard, which complements Caitlin Clark's role, allowing for a dynamic backcourt partnership.