{"id":664536,"date":"2026-05-25T18:33:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-25T18:33:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/664536\/"},"modified":"2026-05-25T18:33:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T18:33:10","slug":"stephanie-white-gushes-over-rookie-raven-johnson-amid-fevers-3-game-win-streak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/664536\/","title":{"rendered":"Stephanie White Gushes Over Rookie Raven Johnson Amid Fever\u2019s 3-Game Win Streak"},"content":{"rendered":"

It was a big weekend in Indiana<\/a>. Caitlin Clark<\/a> served as grand marshal for the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, delivering the ceremonial command to send all 33 drivers to their cars, and picking 2022 winner Marcus Ericsson<\/a> to take the event.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, it was Felix Rosenqvist, a fellow Swede, who won by just 0.0233 seconds, the closest finish in Indy 500 history.<\/p>\n

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Indiana Fever<\/a> coach Stephanie White, who also made an appearance at the Indy 500, called the grand marshal role<\/a> \u201cone of the highest honors you can get in the state of Indiana.\u201d<\/p>\n

But at Monday\u2019s practice session, White pivoted away from Clark and onto Indiana\u2019s new rookie Raven Johnson.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s a joy to be around,\u201d White said. \u201cShe\u2019s No. 1, a really good kid. She has this way about her that allows others to connect with her. She\u2019s serious, but she\u2019s also easy-going and has a great ability to connect with a lot of different people. And I think that makes her a really good leader \u2026 I just think that people are drawn to other people who have really good energy.\u201d<\/p>\n

More news: Stephanie White Fires Back After WNBA Warning Over Caitlin Clark Injury<\/a><\/p>\n

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An Atlanta, Georgia, native, Johnson spent five seasons at South Carolina, where she became a two-time NCAA champion, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and third-team All-American heading into the draft.<\/p>\n

The 5-foot-8 guard is a relentless defender, unafraid to go toe-to-toe with bigger guards, and in her final collegiate season, she averaged 9.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.5 steals across 40 regular-season games.<\/p>\n

The Fever<\/a> selected her with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, adding backcourt depth to a roster that already features Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell<\/a>, and Johnson\u2019s former South Carolina teammate Aliyah Boston<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Her preseason debut on April 25 proved why the Fever were so confident to take her. Johnson put up six points and eight assists on 3-of-3 shooting, with zero turnovers, and finished with the second-most assists<\/a> in the WNBA during the preseason.<\/p>\n

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Now, through six regular-season games, Johnson is averaging 3.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 12.5 minutes off the bench. Recently, however, she\u2019s made the most of her opportunities.<\/p>\n

She scored nine points, three rebounds, one steal, and one block in 22 minutes against Portland, then followed it up with seven points, two rebounds, two assists, and a three-pointer in 15 minutes as Indiana cruised to a 90-82 win, their third straight.<\/p>\n

More news: Fever Sign Former Big Ten Star Grace VanSlooten Before Valkyries Clash<\/a><\/p>\n

\"HeadINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA \u2013 MAY 20: Head coach Stephanie White of the Indiana Fever speaks with Raven Johnson #3 of the Indiana Fever during the second half against the Portland Fire<\/a> at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 20, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Justin Casterline\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

More news: WNBA Issues Warning to Fever After Controversial Caitlin Clark Move<\/a><\/p>\n

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Clark is averaging a career-high 23.8 points and 9.0 assists this season, and the Fever sit 4-2, riding a three-game winning streak with a road matchup against the Golden State Valkyries<\/a> on Thursday.<\/p>\n

But for a team with championship aspirations, players like Johnson matter as much as the stars.<\/p>\n

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