What Raven Johnson said about reuniting with Aliyah Boston on Indiana Fever in WNBA

What Raven Johnson said about reuniting with Aliyah Boston on Indiana Fever in WNBA

After South Carolina women's basketball lost to Iowa in the Final Four in 2023, Aliyah Boston told Raven Johnson, "This is your team now."

Boston, a 6-foot-5 star forward, carried the program to a title in 2022 and got drafted No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever one week later. Johnson had three more seasons with coach Dawn Staley and won another national championship in 2024.

Johnson will be reunited with Boston as she was selected No. 10 overall by the Fever in the 2026 WNBA Draft on April 13 in New York.

"It's so crazy," Johnson said of the reunion. "(Boston) taught me so much through my college experience. She taught me what pro habits were ... her leadership, (being) a role model, it goes a long way. She is a phenomenal person and instills so much in young people, there's no way you don't want to play with somebody like that."

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Ta’Niya Latson of South Carolina arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Madina Okot of Kenya arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Ta’Niya Latson of South Carolina arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Madina Okot of Kenya arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

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South Carolina's Raven Johnson, Madina Okot, Ta'Niya Latson at 2026 WNBA Draft photos

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Ta’Niya Latson of South Carolina arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

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South Carolina's Raven Johnson, Madina Okot, Ta'Niya Latson at 2026 WNBA Draft photos

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Ta’Niya Latson of South Carolina arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

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South Carolina's Raven Johnson, Madina Okot, Ta'Niya Latson at 2026 WNBA Draft photos

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Madina Okot of Kenya arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

3 / 4

South Carolina's Raven Johnson, Madina Okot, Ta'Niya Latson at 2026 WNBA Draft photos

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Ta’Niya Latson of South Carolina arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

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South Carolina's Raven Johnson, Madina Okot, Ta'Niya Latson at 2026 WNBA Draft photos

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Madina Okot of Kenya arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

Raven Johnson joins Caitlin Clark on Indiana Fever

Johnson isn't just joining Boston but also former Iowa star Caitlin Clark, who was the first overall pick by the franchise in 2024.

Clark went 1-1 against Johnson, beating her and Boston in the Final Four, then losing to Johnson a year later in the title game when South Carolina won its third national championship.

Johnson has been the leader of the Gamecocks since Boston's departure in 2023 but will now get to switch to a mentee role, especially with Boston, Clark and veteran guards Kelsey Mitchell and Ty Harris. Harris played for Staley from 2016-2020.

"They have a lot of vets that I can learn from and they're winners," Johnson said. "Everybody on that team likes to win and I think that's what makes that team special, so to go to a team that has the same mentality as me of winning is phenomenal."

Johnson said she'll "be a sponge" and probably a "gnat" because she'll ask her vets so many questions.

The Fever went 24-20 last year, finishing third in Eastern Conference.

Why Indiana Fever drafted Raven Johnson

Johnson is the highest WNBA draft pick for South Carolina since Kamilla Cardoso went No. 3 overall in 2024.

"She's the (SEC) Defensive Player of the Year, she is a leader, she's a competitor from one of the greatest programs in college basketball," Amber Cox, the Fever's general manager, told reporters. "She’s won at the highest level, continued to just grow her game and to watch her this year, take her game to the next level, lead South Carolina, we were just so pumped when she was (available) at No. 10."

Cox also told reporters that playing under Staley helps Johnson.

"She has won at the highest level, played on the biggest stage ... I always say a point guard playing for a coach like Dawn Staley, who was one of the greatest point guards in our game, you’re gonna learn a lot and she’s been a sponge," Cox said. "So, I think coming in here, she’s got a leg up.”

Johnson went 145-9 in games she played in. She averaged a career-high 9.9 points and 5.1 assists per game and shot a career-best 48.6% from the floor and 39.9% from the 3-point line this year.

Fever coach Stephanie White said that Johnson is "immediately ready" on the defensive end, which is something her team needs.

"First and foremost, she's a winner, she's won at every level and set the tone at every level," White said. "She's experienced in big-time moments so (I'm) really excited that she fell to us.

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at LKesin@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky‪@bylulukesin.bsky.social‬

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Raven Johnson drafted by Indiana Fever, reunited with Aliyah Boston