The history of the Raven Johnson-Caitlin Clark beef: How college rivals became rabid teammates originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
Raven Johnson and Caitlin Clark have shared a floor before. The Fever backs played against each other in college, going up against highly regarded backs from South Carolina and Iowa.
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Their matchups often take place in big games with national championship implications. They each pulled off a victory that inflicted emotional pain on their opponents—albeit in different ways.
As a redshirt freshman, Johnson became the target of online abuse after Clark waved dismissively at Johnson as she stood outside the 3-point line during the Hawkeyes’ 2023 Final Four victory over South Carolina. Years later, the two became teammates hoping to push Indiana into the promised land of women’s basketball.
Over time, their relationship changed, and Johnson and Clark embraced each other. However, it takes some time to get there.
So here’s what you need to know about the feud between Johnson and Clark that has given way to an unforgettable friendship.
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Raven Johnson-Caitlin Clark Beef History
Iowa beats South Carolina in Final Four, Clark waves goodbye to Johnson
When Clark and Johnson face off in the 2023 Final Four, they won’t be completely at odds. However, they are completely opposite. Clark is a high-flying scorer known for taking offensive risks, while Johnson is a tenacious defender who rarely attempts shots from outside.
When Iowa State and South Carolina met under the lights, their dueling styles collided. Clark performed well on the offensive end, scoring 41 points. Johnson, then a freshman, scored 13 points on 5-for-11 shooting (3-for-6 from 3-point range). Still, Clark wasn’t satisfied with her shooting skills, and as she neared the three-point line, she waved Johnson off.
Clark was the winner of the day, leading the Hawkeyes to a 77-73 victory over the previously undefeated Gamecocks. The moment left an indelible mark on Johnson, who said she considered quitting basketball because of Clark’s actions and their subsequent fallout.
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“I got beat up, I got bullied, I was called all these things that I wasn’t… that’s the kind of thing where I just wanted to quit basketball,” Johnson said in an interview on “I’m Next.”
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Johnson and Gamecocks seek revenge in 2024 national championship game
Johnson’s second trip to the Final Four ended in confetti as South Carolina won the 2024 national championship. The Gamecocks swept all opponents, including Iowa State, to hoist the trophy.
Clark led all scorers with 30 points. But her presentation was much less efficient, using only 28 shots. She was especially ineffective when matched up against Johnson: Johnson held her to 3-for-11 shooting and forced four turnovers while guarding Clark.
Although she couldn’t replicate the scoring outburst from Game 1 — Johnson scored just three points on 1-for-11 shooting — Johnson played a crucial role in South Carolina’s victory.
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“I’ve been prepared for this moment,” Johnson said after the game, according to ESPN. “I studied her moves and I was ready. I’m confident this year. I told myself last year won’t happen again.”
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Johnson emerged as one of South Carolina’s top shooters during his senior season
Johnson remained a tenacious defender and became a reliable offensive option in Dwayne Staley’s lineup during his five seasons with the Gamecocks. In fact, as a senior, she set a career-high in 3-point shooting, with 40 percent of her field goals coming from beyond the arc. Talk about a turnaround.
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“Raven has put in the work,” Staley said in January 2026, according to On3. “So, you see the confidence and you know that when you put in the work, at some point it starts to show. … When you put in the work, you expect the work to pay off. And it’s paying off in a big way.”
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Johnson joins Clark’s craze by picking No. 10
Johnson’s defensive play and offensive improvement impressed WNBA scouts. The Fanatics made Johnson, the 2026 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, their first-round pick and selected her with the 10th overall pick. While not expected to be a starter, Johnson’s defense does earn her a spot in Stephanie White’s rotation.
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“She’s like a sponge,” White said during the preseason, according to YardBarker. “She wants to learn. She wants to grow… I love her energy. We’ve got to find minutes for her. We’ve got to find minutes for her in a good rotation.”
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Johnson praised Clark’s humor and manner
Johnson expressed her appreciation for her fellow guards while speaking with reporters during her first preseason as a WNBA player, telling reporters she appreciated the opportunity to share the floor and locker room with her former college rival.
“She’s a great person,” Johnson said. “She helps me with every little thing. I can ask a question and she has the answer. It means a lot to me to play with someone like her.”
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What did Raven Johnson say to Caitlin Clark?
Johnson, who had nothing but good things to say about her teammates, explained to reporters that Clark’s character was misunderstood before a preseason game against the Wings.
“She was loving,” Johnson said. “She’s a goofy person. I think a lot of people don’t really know her outside of basketball. She’s funny, she’s got a lot of personality, and I think that’s what people need to know about her.”
Johnson said she and Clark have bonded over their sense of humor since she joined the roster.
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“I think that’s where we match up, we resonate with each other,” Johnson said.
While some may have thought Johnson would be wary of pursuing a relationship with Clark after that infamous first interaction, Johnson said their competitive spirit is driving them toward the same goal: a championship.
“I’ve put the past behind me,” Johnson said. “When I put on the Indiana Fever jersey, I said, ‘Let’s win a championship together.'”