Caitlin Clark's Former Indiana Fever Teammate Makes WNBA History
The Indiana Fever made some big moves in the offseason to surround Caitlin Clark with the best possible roster for her sophomore season.
Advertisement
As the Fever added some new personnel, a number of old faces also left the squad during the offseason. This included veteran center Temi Fagbenle, who parted ways with Indiana after just one season with the team.
Fagbenle, who was a strong supporter of Clark's Rookie of the Year campaign last season, was selected by the Golden State Valkyries in the expansion draft after she was left out of Indiana's protected players list.
On Monday, Fagbenle helped her new team secure their second straight win, as the Valkyries pulled off an impressive 89-81 overtime road victory over the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena.
Golden State Valkyries center Temi Fagbenle during a preseason game against the Phoenix Mercury.Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Fagbenle arguably had her best game in a Valkyries uniform, dropping a 14-point, 13-rebound (eight of which were on the offensive end) double-double, with four steals and four blocks. It was an incredible all-around effort from the 32-year-old, and it allowed her to make her mark on the WNBA history books.
Advertisement
According to StatMuse on X, Fagbenle is the first player in league history to record at least eight offensive rebounds, four steals and four blocks in a single game.
Fagbenle's stat-stuffing effort helped lead Golden State to a win against the Sparks, which saw the Valkyries improve to 4-5 on the season. They are now eighth in the league, and could all of a sudden become a real threat for a postseason berth in their first WNBA season.
As for Fagbenle, the former Harvard and USC star has been a crucial piece for the Valkyries this season. In nine starts, Fagbenle has put up averages of 9.7 points on 53.7% shooting, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks in 25.7 minutes per contest.
Related: Kate Martin's Actions Before WNBA Game Grab Attention
Related: Indiana Fever Send Farewell Message to Temi Fagbenle
Related: WNBA Makes Official Statement on Caitlin Clark in Fever-Sky Game
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


San Francisco Chronicle
3 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Alyssa Thomas has 5th triple-double of the season as Mercury beat Storm 85-82
SEATTLE (AP) — Alyssa Thomas had 19 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for her 16th career triple-double in the regular season, and the Phoenix Mercury beat the Seattle Storm 85-82 on Sunday. Thomas has five of the 10 triple-doubles in the WNBA this season and 20 of the 53 (counting regular season and playoffs) in league history. Kahleah Copper scored 17 points and Sami Whitcomb added 15 for Phoenix (20-13). Satou Sabally had 11 points and 10 rebounds, and DeWanna Bonner scored 10 points. Nneka Ogwumike led Seattle (17-18) with 24 points and Skylar Diggins scored 14. Gabby Williams had 13 points and seven assists, and Erica Wheeler added 11 points. Ogwumike poked the ball away from Whitcomb and made a follow shot moments later to tie it at 75-all with 3:57 left in the game — the first tie since 2-2. Wheeler hit a 3-pointer with 2:20 remaining that gave the Storm their first lead of the game. Thomas slipped a pass to Copper for a wide-open layup, Copper added a driving layup and Thomas hit a short jumper to make it 83-78 with 21 seconds to play. Diggins had two assists and moved into a tie with Becky Hammon for seventh in WNBA history with 1,708 career assists. Phoenix is 9-0 when at least five players score in double figures this season and is 17-1 when leading going into the fourth quarter. Sue Bird, who helped the Storm win four championships and had a WNBA-record 3,234 assists, had a statue in her likeness unveiled outside of Climate Pledge Arena before the game. The franchise's career leading scorer with 6,803 points, Bird is the first player to have a statue dedicated to her by a WNBA franchise. The Mercury play Tuesday at Golden State. The Storm travels to Chicago to play the Sky on Tuesday.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Alyssa Thomas has 5th triple-double of the season as Mercury beat Storm 85-82
SEATTLE (AP) — Alyssa Thomas had 19 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for her 16th career triple-double in the regular season, and the Phoenix Mercury beat the Seattle Storm 85-82 on Sunday. Thomas has five of the 10 triple-doubles in the WNBA this season and 20 of the 53 (counting regular season and playoffs) in league history. Kahleah Copper scored 17 points and Sami Whitcomb added 15 for Phoenix (20-13). Satou Sabally had 11 points and 10 rebounds, and DeWanna Bonner scored 10 points. Nneka Ogwumike led Seattle (17-18) with 24 points and Skylar Diggins scored 14. Gabby Williams had 13 points and seven assists, and Erica Wheeler added 11 points. Ogwumike poked the ball away from Whitcomb and made a follow shot moments later to tie it at 75-all with 3:57 left in the game — the first tie since 2-2. Wheeler hit a 3-pointer with 2:20 remaining that gave the Storm their first lead of the game. Thomas slipped a pass to Copper for a wide-open layup, Copper added a driving layup and Thomas hit a short jumper to make it 83-78 with 21 seconds to play. Diggins had two assists and moved into a tie with Becky Hammon for seventh in WNBA history with 1,708 career assists. Phoenix is 9-0 when at least five players score in double figures this season and is 17-1 when leading going into the fourth quarter. Sue Bird, who helped the Storm win four championships and had a WNBA-record 3,234 assists, had a statue in her likeness unveiled outside of Climate Pledge Arena before the game. The franchise's career leading scorer with 6,803 points, Bird is the first player to have a statue dedicated to her by a WNBA franchise. The Mercury play Tuesday at Golden State. The Storm travels to Chicago to play the Sky on Tuesday. ___ AP WNBA:

Associated Press
3 hours ago
- Associated Press
Alyssa Thomas has 5th triple-double of the season as Mercury beat Storm 85-82
SEATTLE (AP) — Alyssa Thomas had 19 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for her 16th career triple-double in the regular season, and the Phoenix Mercury beat the Seattle Storm 85-82 on Sunday. Thomas has five of the 10 triple-doubles in the WNBA this season and 20 of the 53 (counting regular season and playoffs) in league history. Kahleah Copper scored 17 points and Sami Whitcomb added 15 for Phoenix (20-13). Satou Sabally had 11 points and 10 rebounds, and DeWanna Bonner scored 10 points. Nneka Ogwumike led Seattle (17-18) with 24 points and Skylar Diggins scored 14. Gabby Williams had 13 points and seven assists, and Erica Wheeler added 11 points. Ogwumike poked the ball away from Whitcomb and made a follow shot moments later to tie it at 75-all with 3:57 left in the game — the first tie since 2-2. Wheeler hit a 3-pointer with 2:20 remaining that gave the Storm their first lead of the game. Thomas slipped a pass to Copper for a wide-open layup, Copper added a driving layup and Thomas hit a short jumper to make it 83-78 with 21 seconds to play. Diggins had two assists and moved into a tie with Becky Hammon for seventh in WNBA history with 1,708 career assists. Phoenix is 9-0 when at least five players score in double figures this season and is 17-1 when leading going into the fourth quarter. Sue Bird, who helped the Storm win four championships and had a WNBA-record 3,234 assists, had a statue in her likeness unveiled outside of Climate Pledge Arena before the game. The franchise's career leading scorer with 6,803 points, Bird is the first player to have a statue dedicated to her by a WNBA franchise. The Mercury play Tuesday at Golden State. The Storm travels to Chicago to play the Sky on Tuesday. ___ AP WNBA: