Raven Johnson selected No. 10 in first round of 2026 WNBA draft

Michael Sauls, The State on Apr 13, 2026

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South Carolina point guard Raven Johnson was selected by the Indiana Fever with the No. 10 overall pick in the first round of the WNBA draft on Monday night.

Johnson was the first Gamecock selected in the 2026 draft. She is also the program’s first guard to be selected in the first round since Zia Cooke in 2023. Johnson will reunite her with her former South Carolina teammate Aliyah Boston with the Fever.

“You dream of moments like this as a little girl,” Johnson told ESPN’s Holly Rowe. “You watch people before you that get drafted and just to hear to my name called is a blessing.”

There aren’t many players who saw their draft stock rise as much as Johnson did this season.

Johnson’s senior season was highlighted by All-American honors from the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, The Associated Press (third team) and U.S. Basketball Writers Association (honorable mention).

Johnson was also named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. She’s the fifth Gamecock to win the award and the first guard since Georgia’s Que Morrison won (alongside USC’s Aliyah Boston) in 2021. Johnson also earned All-SEC second team and All-SEC defensive team selections.

The Atlanta product enjoyed somewhat of an offensive renaissance this season. Johnson averaged career-highs in scoring (9.9 points per game), field goal percentage (48.6%) and 3-point percentage (39.8%). Her playmaking skills continued to improve this year, as did her ability to conduct an offense. Johnson averaged a career-high 5.1 assists per game.

In total, Johnson leaves South Carolina with 154 games played during her five years. Only Victaria Saxton has played more games in her career for the Gamecocks in program history. She won two national championships, went to five straight Final Fours and was part of three SEC Tournament championships during her time with the Gamecocks.

Johnson averaged 6.7 points, four rebounds, four assists and 1.5 steals during her career with South Carolina.

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