Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham continues to build chemistry with rookie guard Raven Johnson. Their friendship is becoming one of the strongest connections in the Fever locker room.
The veteran guard arrived in Indiana with a reputation as a tough competitor, and Fever fans love her for it. But beyond her on-court play, she is also a leader in the locker room.
Cunningham has taken on a mentoring role for Johnson and has become one of her strongest supporters. The 6-foot-1 guard often praises the 23-year-old’s defensive tenacity and work ethic. She also publicly shared on her podcast how much she loves playing with the former Gamecocks standout.
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Their social media interactions clearly show their closeness. Last week, Cunningham reposted a Fever practice photo with Johnson on her Instagram story. She tagged her and wrote, “ily 🥹.” The 5-foot-8 guard shared it in her story with a reply of “Love you more.”
On Sunday, Johnson posted a photo gallery on Instagram showing her on-court and off-court moments. The post drew attention from fans and teammates, including Cunningham, who quickly commented.
“Our little baby squirrel 😍😍,” Cunningham wrote in the comments section.
The nickname perfectly fits Johnson’s high-energy personality. In a recent practice session, Fever head coach Stephanie White told reporters the young guard brings real joy to the team. She said she likes what she sees from the reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
When asked about Johnson's constant dancing and moving around, White praised her infectious energy and positive attitude. The coach said the rookie is serious about basketball but maintains an easygoing nature. White added that Johnson has a unique ability to connect with people, which makes her a good teammate and leader.
The Fever selected Johnson with the No. 10 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. She arrived in Indiana with a strong collegiate résumé after five seasons at South Carolina. Serving as a starter for three seasons, she helped the Gamecocks win national championships in 2022 and 2024.
Johnson delivered her strongest performance of the season in the Fever’s 90-88 loss to the Golden State Valkyries on Thursday. She scored a career-high 16 points and recorded four rebounds and two assists. She shot 70% from the field, including 2-for-3 from three-point range. Her 16 points tied for the team high with Caitlin Clark.
With her shooting and versatility, Johnson can help Indiana in its push for a WNBA title, a belief Cunningham strongly shares.
