Indiana Fever guard Raven Johnson publicly celebrated her former collegiate teammate Laeticia Amihere after the forward captured a WNBA championship with the Golden State Valkyries, as reported by Athlon on Nov. 1, 2026. The milestone arrived following a historic conclusion to the WNBA’s 30th season on Saturday night, Oct. 31, 2026, where the expansion Valkyries secured a 68-63 victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 at the Chase Center in San Francisco.
The championship matchup marked the first-ever Game 7 in WNBA Finals history, culminating in the young franchise’s inaugural title just two seasons after entering the league. While Amihere did not feature in the floor rotation during the decisive contest, she played an important rotational role throughout the series, highlighted by a strong performance in Game 6 where she contributed five points, 10 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block across 20 minutes off the bench. Gabby Williams starred for the Valkyries in the finale, securing a game-high 30 points alongside three rebounds, two assists, two steals, and four blocks to anchor the title-clinching effort.
Collegiate Bonds and Public Recognition
Following the championship buzzer, the official South Carolina Women’s Basketball program congratulated Amihere on social media, posting, “Adding WNBA CHAMPION to the resume!! 😤🏆.” Johnson amplified the achievement by sharing the post directly to her Instagram story without an added caption, allowing the public endorsement of her former teammate to stand on its own.
Johnson and Amihere share a deep athletic and personal history dating back to their shared years under coach Dawn Staley at South Carolina. The two won the 2022 NCAA national championship together, while Johnson later secured a second national title in 2024. Beyond hardwood success, Amihere provided vital personal support to Johnson during difficult adjustments early in her collegiate career, cementing a relationship that has persisted through separate professional pathways in the WNBA.
Franchise Stakes and Individual Journeys
Amihere’s path to a WNBA championship involved navigating significant roster turbulence. Selected eighth overall by the Atlanta Dream in the 2023 WNBA Draft, she was waived by the franchise ahead of the 2025 season before being claimed off waivers by Golden State. Over two seasons with the expansion club, Amihere has logged 68 regular-season appearances, averaging 4.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 12.4 minutes per contest.
Meanwhile, Johnson completed her debut campaign with the Indiana Fever, appearing in 39 games and averaging 3.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per contest. The Fever’s season concluded following a first-round playoff exit against the Las Vegas Aces, paving the way for offseason reflections and public support across the broader network of former collegiate standouts.
Broader Context of WNBA Expansion and Offseason Dynamics
The conclusion of the 2026 campaign stands as a watershed moment for the league, highlighted by the rapid ascension of the Golden State Valkyries. Entering the competition as an expansion franchise in 2025, the organization swiftly assembled a competitive roster capable of navigating a grueling regular season and a historic postseason ladder. Reaching Game 7 of the WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream demonstrated the shifting competitive landscape, where newer franchises are finding immediate footing alongside established organizations.
For players like Amihere, transitioning from being waived by an original drafting franchise to earning a championship ring with an expansion club underscores the unpredictable nature of professional roster management. The resilience required to adapt to new systems under different coaching staffs mirrors the developmental milestones achieved during formative collegiate years under Dawn Staley.
At the same time, young contributors across the league, including Indiana’s Raven Johnson, are utilizing their rookie campaigns as foundational stepping stones. Although the Fever’s playoff run was cut short by the Las Vegas Aces, individual experiences gained throughout 39 appearances provide critical exposure to the pace and physicality of professional basketball. As players disperse for the offseason, digital acknowledgments of former teammates’ successes highlight the enduring camaraderie that bridges competitive rivalries across different franchises.