Raven Johnson has started attending Indiana Fever practice sessions, and it was only a matter of time before footage of her interactions with Caitlin Clark went viral on the internet.
That’s exactly what happened this past weekend after Fever beat reporter Scott Agness posted a 17-second clip of a practice session at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. At first glance, there’s nothing conspicuous about this clip of the Fever players high-fiving one another before a huddle. Eagle-eyed fans, though, noticed that Johnson appeared to take a step back and pull her hand away when Clark drew near.
Prior to Caitlin Clark walking in front of her, Raven Johnson had high-fived Lexie Hull; she also dapped up her former South Carolina teammate Aliyah Boston, who was walking right behind Clark.
When Johnson was selected 10th overall by the Fever in last week’s WNBA draft, fans wondered whether the bad blood between Johnson and Clark would reemerge in the pro ranks. The two had an infamous sequence in the 2023 March Madness tournament when Clark, then the star player of the Iowa Hawkeyes, waved off Johnson and opted not to defend her out on the perimeter.
Since that moment, Johnson has stated in interviews that Clark’s gesture inflicted psychological damage on her, causing her to contemplate quitting basketball altogether. While it remains to be seen whether Johnson’s chemistry with Clark on the court will be impacted, the optics of this high-five “snub” don’t look good at the moment.
Aliyah Boston Brushes Off Concerns That Raven Johnson and Caitlin Clark Won’t Get Along
For what it’s worth, Aliyah Boston has stated that she is confident in the dynamic between Raven Johnson and Caitlin Clark. In an episode of the “Post Moves” podcast last week, Boston brushed off concerns that the two wouldn’t get along in light of their history in the NCAA tournament.
“I think it’s gonna be fine…it literally does not matter.”
If anything, Boston (who has played alongside Clark for three seasons now) can be the in-between for Johnson and CC as they look to take the Fever on an even deeper playoff run this year.