The Indiana Fever are looking to surround Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston with enough talent to compete for a WNBA championship this season.
Clark played just 13 games last season because of various muscular injuries, so a reliable backup is needed. They could try free agency, but they might have limited cap space, depending on what they do in the next few days, as per Robin Lundberg of Sports Illustrated.
One cheaper alternative is the WNBA Draft, with the Fever having three picks, one from each round. They have the 10th, 25th and 40th selections.
Latest Mock Draft Predicts Clark’s Backup
GettyCaitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever brings the ball up the court against the Las Vegas Aces in the third quarter of their game at T-Mobile Arena on June 22, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Fever 89-81.
ESPN’s Michael Voepel released his latest 2026 WNBA Mock Draft a few days before the actual event. Voepel had a surprise first pick, with Olivia Miles going to the Dallas Wings.
Highly touted center prospect Awa Fam from Spain goes at No. 2 on the Minnesota Lynx. Azzi Fudd, Lauren Betts and Flau’jae Johnson round out the top five picks.
Before the Fever’s No. 10 pick, Voepel predicted that Nell Angloma, Iyana Martin, Gianna Kneepens and Cotie McMahon would be off the draft board. His projected selection for Indiana is South Carolina’s Raven Johnson.
“It appears Johnson helped her draft stock plenty as a senior because of the traits she showed: leadership, maturity and resilience,” Voepel wrote. “We saw those qualities throughout her career at South Carolina, but they were key in helping the Gamecocks reach the national championship game again and end UConn’s unbeaten season.”
GettyRaven Johnson #25 of the South Carolina Gamecocks dribbles against the UCLA Bruins during the third quarter in the National Championship of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 05, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Voepel added that Johnson won the 2026 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, which showed how strong she is on both sides of the ball. She could help defensively if she’s playing alongside Clark or Kelsey Mitchell.
Johnson averaged 9.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game in her final season with the Gamecocks. She shot 48.6% from the field, 39.8% from beyond the arc and 82.0% from the free-throw line.
Other Options for Fever at No. 10
GettyGabriela Jaquez #11 of the UCLA Bruins makes a move against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament Championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 08, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Scott Horner of The Indianapolis Star listed other WNBA mock drafts to see other projections for the No. 10 pick.
Bleacher Report and Sporting News both predicted UCLA’s Gabriela Jaquez as the 10th selection. Jaquez had an amazing performance in the championship game against South Carolina, which helped elevate her stock.
Meanwhile, USA Today’s For The Win had Marta Suarez of TCU, calling her a perfect replacement for sharpshooter Chloe Bibby. The Portland Fire picked the Australian forward in the expansion draft.
NBA Draft Room surprisingly projected Flau’jae Johnson falling all the way to No. 10 after a down final season with LSU.
The Fever can officially make their selection on April 13 at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City.
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