Caitlin Clark Sends Clear Message on Mentoring Fever Rookie Raven Johnson

The WNBA regular season is just around the corner, and the Indiana Fever got a preview of their opening-night opponent Thursday in a preseason matchup against Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings.

Leading the way for Indiana was Caitlin Clark, who finished with 21 points, four assists, and two rebounds in just 16 minutes of action.

After appearing in only 13 games last season, one of the Fever's priorities has been finding additional ball handlers to ease Clark's workload instead of having her bring the ball up on every possession - and they may have found that spark.

Rookie Raven Johnson stepped into that role off the bench, particularly after Clark exited in the third quarter following a collision with Wings forward Alanna Smith and did not return, but was deemed ok by head coach Stephanie White. It was strictly a precautionary measure.

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Johnson logged 21 minutes, finishing with three points and five assists. The former South Carolina standout - a two-time national champion - was selected with the No. 10 overall pick in this year's WNBA draft.

While Clark is still just 24 - only a year older than Johnson - she is entering her third WNBA season and has already emerged as a leader. That includes mentoring younger guards like Johnson, something she spoke about Thursday night.

"It all kind of happens so fast. I remember when I was a rookie, and the terminology is like the hardest thing to understand, and the WNBA is a completely different style than you play in college," Clark said.

"That's the best way to learn - is to ask questions. I still ask questions to coach every single day because I still need to learn. I'm trying to do that not only for Raven but the rest of the rookies and new players on our team. She asks a lot of really great questions, so I'm just trying to help her in every way that I can."

The Fever were able to reach the conference finals last season despite Caitlin Clark and several key players being sidelined due to injuries.

Now, with a healthy roster and key additions through the draft and free agency, Indiana looks like a legitimate contender for a WNBA championship.

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This story was originally published May 1, 2026 at 7:46 AM.