The WNBA season just wrapped, but the Indiana Fever already know their spot for next April’s 2027 draft: the 10th overall pick. Forget the draft lottery on Nov. 15, that intrigue isn’t for them. And if Bleacher Report’s first mock draft is on the money, the Fever are about to grab one of the purest shooters in the game, South Carolina guard Tessa Johnson, a player already being hyped as a “new Azzi Fudd.”
Meet the Fever’s Potential New Sharp-Shooter
Jack Bonin from Bleacher Report is absolutely buzzing about Johnson, comparing her to last year’s top overall pick, Azzi Fudd. Bonin says she’s “Azzi Fudd without magnets in her hands,” which, if you know anything about Fudd, means this kid can flat-out shoot. We’re talking about the “best pure three-point shooter in the draft” here, with a career 44 percent mark from deep. Last year as a junior, she dropped an average of 12.8 points per game. You want instant offense? This is your player. Her game log on November 2, 2026, was pure fire: 15 points, 6 boards, 5 dimes, and a steal, hitting 2-of-4 from downtown and 5-of-10 overall. That’s a stat line that pops.
Unlocking Caitlin Clark and the Fever Offense
Look, adding more shooting around Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston is *never* a bad thing. Bonin himself said it: “Even if Mitchell returns, more shooting around Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston is always a plus.” But it’s more than just a bonus. Kelsey Mitchell’s free agency is looming large, and her possible departure would leave a huge hole in the backcourt. Bonin sees Johnson as the perfect fit to “fill a bit of the void at guard.” Plus, with Clark’s multimillion-dollar extension potentially on the horizon, grabbing a top-tier shooter on a rookie contract is just smart business for the Fever. You get cheap, reliable production that immediately makes your superstar even more dangerous. It’s a no-brainer if she’s there at 10.
High Floor, Low Ceiling? Maybe Not.
So, what’s the catch with Johnson? Nobody’s perfect, right? While her shooting is lights-out, Bonin notes that she’s “not a great defender,” and other parts of her offensive game still “need work beyond her spot-up shooting.” But hey, you’re not drafting her to be a lockdown defender immediately. You’re drafting her for that sweet, sweet stroke. Bonin describes her as the “ultimate high-floor, low-ceiling guard,” but then contradicts that a bit by saying she’s got “just enough juice in other areas to avoid being one-dimensional.” That tells me she’s not *just* a shooter. She’s got potential to grow defensively, and her shooting alone means she’ll make an impact on any lineup from day one. Grabbing a superlative shooter with room to grow on a rookie contract at 10th overall? Yeah, that’s a win.
The WNBA draft lottery is set for November 15, which will decide the *other* top picks. But for the Fever, their focus is locked on April and potentially adding Tessa Johnson. This isn’t just about another player; it’s about giving Caitlin Clark another weapon, ensuring the Fever offense is explosive, and building for a future where they can be true contenders. Keep an eye on Johnson’s college season, because if she keeps dropping buckets like she did on November 2, the Fever could have a superstar shooter ready to light up the WNBA.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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