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Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Indiana Fever's Gesture for Kelsey Mitchell is Turning Heads
Indiana Fever's Gesture for Kelsey Mitchell is Turning Heads originally appeared on Athlon Sports. When most fans think of the Indiana Fever, they think of star guard Caitlin Clark. But there's more to the team than just her. Fellow guard Kelsey Mitchell has been a big piece for Indiana since the organization drafted her No. 2 overall in the 2018 WNBA Draft. Advertisement Mitchell entered Saturday's contest against the New York Liberty, averaging 16.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. She's also the highest-paid player in the WNBA this season, playing on a one-year, $249,244 deal. The Fever were looking to get back to .500 on the season with a win Saturday, and before tip-off, the team brought Mitchell out to center court for a special moment. Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell poses for a photo. © Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images She was joined by general manager and chief operating officer Amber Cox, along with head coach Stephanie White, who presented her with a commemorative basketball to celebrate surpassing 4,000 career points. Mitchell reached that milestone in Tuesday's game against the Atlanta Dream. Fans on social media saw the video the Fever posted of the moment and shared their reactions. Advertisement "Yeah KELZ!!!!!!!!!!!" one fan said. "Congratulations Kelsey!" another wrote. "Well overdue! Give @Kelz_Hoop her flowers!!" added another. "yes kelz!!!" wrote a fan. "Congrats Kelsey!" one said. "Mitchell hitting 4k points? Legend status confirmed," a fan added. Mitchell, 29, is a two-time WNBA All-Star and earned a spot on the WNBA All-Rookie Team in 2018. The 5-foot-8 guard has spent her entire eight-year WNBA career in Indiana after playing college basketball at Ohio State. While in Columbus, she was named an AP first-team All-American. Related: WNBA Reacts to Caitlin Clark's New Wardrobe During Fever Game Related: Caitlin Clark Makes Clear Request Before Injury Return This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Caitlin Clark's winter transformation has the Indiana Fever dreaming big
The hype kicked off with a single photograph. In March, during the Big Ten women's basketball tournament in Indianapolis, a shot of Caitlin Clark cheering from the sidelines, arms flexed, muscles defined, went viral and sparked conversation across social media. 'There's been much ado about her guns,' said Amber Cox, the Fever's chief operating officer. Even the team staff took notice. 'She was obviously very proud of it,' added Sarah Kessler, Indiana's head athletic performance coach. 'We did have a chuckle about it, though, because it garnered more attention than we realized it would.' That viral image wasn't just a flash of vanity; it was evidence of Clark's offseason grind. For the first time since the summer of 2023, she had the time and space to focus entirely on building her body for the rigors of the WNBA. 'I don't know the last time I've had an athlete in the W, or even on the men's side, really, where you have a consistent four- to five-month period where you get to just work together,' Kessler said. The main goal? Adding muscle. Clark embraced that challenge with characteristic tenacity. 'I've had athletes who have said that, and then maybe when the work component shows up to actually achieve those goals, that's where there's maybe a disconnect,' Kessler noted. 'But with Caitlin, she set those goals, and from the jump, I was seeing her in the weight room four to five times a week.' Advertisement Related: WNBA 2025 season predictions: Can anyone topple the New York Liberty? The Indiana Fever are no longer just a team of distant promise. With Clark at the helm, they're transforming into something far more formidable entering her sophomore season, an evolution that begins with the strength she added over the winter. That work faces its first real test on Saturday. Indiana open their season at home against the Chicago Sky and Angel Reese, marking the first of five meetings between the two teams this year. Reese, like Clark, is coming off a stellar rookie season that helped drive record ratings and attendance for the WNBA. Their head-to-head battle is among the marquee matchups of opening weekend, offering a glimpse into the league's bright future. 'Rivalries are real, and that's what makes sports so amazing,' Clark said. 'There's certain teams that those games just mean a little bit more. [We] come out here and play the same way every night, but [a rivalry] gets the fans involved, and they love it.' Clark's rapid development has been a revelation to head coach Stephanie White, who returned to Indiana this offseason after a successful stint with Connecticut. 'There was a lot thrown at Caitlin from day one – new league, new players, everybody's bigger, faster, stronger,' White said. 'But she's incredibly hardworking and a high IQ player. She wants to get better.' The oddsmakers seem to agree: Clark has been installed as the favorite to win Most Valuable Player this season, underscoring just how transformative her offseason work is expected to be. Advertisement Clark herself acknowledged that adjusting to the physicality of the WNBA was the biggest hurdle in her rookie season, one that opponents exploited. This time around, she's determined to flip the narrative. 'Going into year two, I feel like I have experience in this league. I know what to expect. I know how training camp works ... just having that experience of how things operate has provided me with a lot of confidence,' she said. That confidence was evident during the Fever's 81-76 preseason win over the Atlanta Dream, where Clark's newfound strength was immediately apparent. She moved with ease, her trademark deep threes looking even more effortless. Her drives to the basket were powered by strength she didn't have last season, and the velocity on her passes mirrored the work she put in over the winter. 'It seems like she may have even increased her three-point range,' one observer noted. 'Her logo bombs were on display, and the ease with which she launched them was striking.' The Fever underwent a significant roster overhaul during the offseason, with general manager Kelly Krauskopf and head coach Amber Stocks prioritizing veteran leadership. Bonner, Howard and Sydney Colson were brought in to infuse the roster with experience and championship pedigree. 'I think the main thing we were lacking last year was experience,' Clark noted. 'Adding really great vets like DB (Bonner) and Sid (Colson) and Tosh (Howard), and putting that experience around us … that's what's going to really help us.' Bonner, who joined the team after a decorated stint with Connecticut, praised Clark's leadership and playmaking skills. 'She's a dynamic player. She just makes everyone around her better. Being on this side of the ball with her is a lot more fun than guarding her, that's for sure,' Bonner said. Her presence, along with Howard's, injects a sense of urgency and wisdom that the Fever desperately needed. Advertisement White's return to the Fever, having previously led Indiana to the WNBA finals in 2015, marks a pivotal shift in the team's culture and aspirations. Her philosophy centers on transparency and clarity in communication – an approach that has already resonated with her players. 'It's still a work in progress,' White said about the team's chemistry. 'The most important thing for myself and the team is communication. We all have the same goals here, and that's to put ourselves in a position to compete for a championship.' Clark echoed that sentiment, describing the locker room as a selfless, driven group. 'Everybody is excited to be here … we all have the same goal that we want to achieve. Building those relationships with your teammates and being intentional about it is really important,' she said. With Clark's evolving leadership, Bonner and Howard's championship mindset, and White's structured philosophy, the Fever find themselves rapping on the door of the WNBA's contender class. 'We're building our culture, and the one common thing in our locker room is everybody's selfless. Everybody wants to win,' Clark emphasized. For a franchise seeking stability and success, that mindset might just be the key to turning promise into performance. With Clark's physical transformation, the Fever's offseason overhaul, and veteran additions that fortify their lineup, Indiana's path to contention no longer seems distant. It feels inevitable.'
The Guardian
17-05-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Caitlin Clark's winter transformation has the Indiana Fever dreaming big
The hype kicked off with a single photograph. In March, during the Big Ten women's basketball tournament in Indianapolis, a shot of Caitlin Clark cheering from the sidelines, arms flexed, muscles defined, went viral and sparked conversation across social media. 'There's been much ado about her guns,' said Amber Cox, the Fever's chief operating officer. Even the team staff took notice. 'She was obviously very proud of it,' added Sarah Kessler, Indiana's head athletic performance coach. 'We did have a chuckle about it, though, because it garnered more attention than we realized it would.' That viral image wasn't just a flash of vanity; it was evidence of Clark's offseason grind. For the first time since the summer of 2023, she had the time and space to focus entirely on building her body for the rigors of the WNBA. 'I don't know the last time I've had an athlete in the W, or even on the men's side, really, where you have a consistent four- to five-month period where you get to just work together,' Kessler said. The main goal? Adding muscle. Clark embraced that challenge with characteristic tenacity. 'I've had athletes who have said that, and then maybe when the work component shows up to actually achieve those goals, that's where there's maybe a disconnect,' Kessler noted. 'But with Caitlin, she set those goals, and from the jump, I was seeing her in the weight room four to five times a week.' The Indiana Fever are no longer just a team of distant promise. With Clark at the helm, they're transforming into something far more formidable entering her sophomore season, an evolution that begins with the strength she added over the winter. That work faces its first real test on Saturday. Indiana open their season at home against the Chicago Sky and Angel Reese, marking the first of five meetings between the two teams this year. Reese, like Clark, is coming off a stellar rookie season that helped drive record ratings and attendance for the WNBA. Their head-to-head battle is among the marquee matchups of opening weekend, offering a glimpse into the league's bright future. 'Rivalries are real, and that's what makes sports so amazing,' Clark said. 'There's certain teams that those games just mean a little bit more. [We] come out here and play the same way every night, but [a rivalry] gets the fans involved, and they love it.' Clark's rapid development has been a revelation to head coach Stephanie White, who returned to Indiana this offseason after a successful stint with Connecticut. 'There was a lot thrown at Caitlin from day one – new league, new players, everybody's bigger, faster, stronger,' White said. 'But she's incredibly hardworking and a high IQ player. She wants to get better.' The oddsmakers seem to agree: Clark has been installed as the favorite to win Most Valuable Player this season, underscoring just how transformative her offseason work is expected to be. Clark herself acknowledged that adjusting to the physicality of the WNBA was the biggest hurdle in her rookie season, one that opponents exploited. This time around, she's determined to flip the narrative. 'Going into year two, I feel like I have experience in this league. I know what to expect. I know how training camp works ... just having that experience of how things operate has provided me with a lot of confidence,' she said. That confidence was evident during the Fever's 81-76 preseason win over the Atlanta Dream, where Clark's newfound strength was immediately apparent. She moved with ease, her trademark deep threes looking even more effortless. Her drives to the basket were powered by strength she didn't have last season, and the velocity on her passes mirrored the work she put in over the winter. 'It seems like she may have even increased her three-point range,' one observer noted. 'Her logo bombs were on display, and the ease with which she launched them was striking.' The Fever underwent a significant roster overhaul during the offseason, with general manager Kelly Krauskopf and head coach Amber Stocks prioritizing veteran leadership. Bonner, Howard and Sydney Colson were brought in to infuse the roster with experience and championship pedigree. 'I think the main thing we were lacking last year was experience,' Clark noted. 'Adding really great vets like DB (Bonner) and Sid (Colson) and Tosh (Howard), and putting that experience around us … that's what's going to really help us.' Bonner, who joined the team after a decorated stint with Connecticut, praised Clark's leadership and playmaking skills. 'She's a dynamic player. She just makes everyone around her better. Being on this side of the ball with her is a lot more fun than guarding her, that's for sure,' Bonner said. Her presence, along with Howard's, injects a sense of urgency and wisdom that the Fever desperately needed. White's return to the Fever, having previously led Indiana to the WNBA finals in 2015, marks a pivotal shift in the team's culture and aspirations. Her philosophy centers on transparency and clarity in communication – an approach that has already resonated with her players. 'It's still a work in progress,' White said about the team's chemistry. 'The most important thing for myself and the team is communication. We all have the same goals here, and that's to put ourselves in a position to compete for a championship.' Clark echoed that sentiment, describing the locker room as a selfless, driven group. 'Everybody is excited to be here … we all have the same goal that we want to achieve. Building those relationships with your teammates and being intentional about it is really important,' she said. With Clark's evolving leadership, Bonner and Howard's championship mindset, and White's structured philosophy, the Fever find themselves rapping on the door of the WNBA's contender class. 'We're building our culture, and the one common thing in our locker room is everybody's selfless. Everybody wants to win,' Clark emphasized. For a franchise seeking stability and success, that mindset might just be the key to turning promise into performance. With Clark's physical transformation, the Fever's offseason overhaul, and veteran additions that fortify their lineup, Indiana's path to contention no longer seems distant. It feels inevitable.'
Indianapolis Star
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Who is on 2025 Indiana Fever roster? Plenty of new faces with only five players back
Fever open WNBA preseason at home against Washington on May 3. Indiana spent most of its offseason work adding experience with championship pedigree. INDIANAPOLIS — WNBA training camp opens Sunday, and the Indiana Fever went through a major overhaul ahead of the 2025 season. The Fever have a new front office with president Kelly Krauskopf and general manager Amber Cox taking the reins. Stephanie White, who was the Fever's head coach in 2014-15, returned this offseason to lead Indiana again after two seasons in Connecticut. She brought along some of her staff, including assistants Austin Kelly and Briann January and player development coach Keith Porter, and hired Karima Christmas-Kelly from the Fever's 2024 staff. Indiana also has plenty of new faces on the roster in 2025, and each came to Indiana for a different reason. Here's how each player on the Fever's roster could fit into the lineup: 6-0 guard | 2024 No. 1 pick (Iowa) | 2nd year in WNBA | 23 2024 stats in Indiana: 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 8.4 assists Building on what she started last year, the offense will run through the second-year guard. Clark, who was the Rookie of the Year and finished fourth in MVP voting in 2024, set the league record for assists in a single season while also scoring at a high level. She's working on getting stronger for her second year in the league, so she will better be able to handle the physicality of the WNBA. Kelsey Mitchell 5-8 guard | 2018 No. 2 pick (Ohio State) | 8th year in WNBA | 29 2024 stats in Indiana: 19.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists Mitchell, who was cored this offseason, is the longest-tenured player on the Fever, going into her eighth season in an Indiana jersey in 2025. She has been a cornerstone of the Fever franchise since she was drafted in 2018, going through the ups and downs and finally making the playoffs for the first time in her career last season. She scores at a high level and is a crucial floor-spacer for the offense with her potent 3-point shooting. Aliyah Boston 6-5 forward-center | 2023 No. 1 pick (South Carolina) | 3rd year in WNBA | 23 2024 stats in Indiana: 14.0 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists Boston, an All-Star in both of her seasons so far, locks down the paint for the Fever and will likely continue to do so in a starting role in 2025. She had a slow start to the season in 2024, but quickly recovered to earn All-Star status by the midpoint of the year. She is a strong player, pushing through constant contact from other league centers and leading the Fever in rebounding. Natasha Howard 6-5 forward | 2014 No. 5 pick (Florida State) | 12th year in WNBA | 33 2024 stats in Dallas: 17.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists Howard signed a one-year max contract to return to Indiana. She was drafted by the Fever in 2014 and spent two seasons in Indianapolis before getting traded to Minnesota, where she won a championship with the Maya Moore-led Lynx. She then moved on to Seattle, becoming a crucial part of two championships with Sue Bird, then had stints in New York and Dallas. Howard missed a portion of the season with a broken foot last season, but was still an effective scorer and rebounder when she returned. She will likely join the starting frontcourt with Boston. DeWanna Bonner 6-4 forward-guard | 2009 No. 5 pick (Auburn) | 15th year in WNBA | 37 2024 stats in Connecticut: 15.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists Bonner is the most experienced player in WNBA playoff history, appearing in 87 postseason games across Phoenix and Connecticut and winning two championships with the Mercury (2009, '14). Spending the past four years in Connecticut, Bonner, who signed a one-year, $200,000 contract with Indiana, already knows White's system and fits into it well. She is showing no signs of slowing down, even coming into her 15th year in the league, and she will likely start at the 3 for Indiana this season. Damiris Dantas 6-3 forward | 2012 No. 12 pick (Brazil) | 10th year in WNBA | 32 2024 stats in Indiana: 4.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, 0.6 assists Dantas is set to make $100,000 in the second season of her two-year deal with Indiana. She missed part of last season with a knee injury, but she made her way into the rotation after she returned. She is a stretch forward who can shoot 3-pointers, which helps the Fever spread the floor when necessary. She will likely continue to back up the frontcourt, playing behind Boston and Howard. Sophie Cunningham 6-1 guard | 2019 No. 13 pick (Missouri) | 7th year in WNBA | 28 2024 stats in Phoenix: 8.4 points. 3.9 rebounds. 2.0 assists Cunningham was traded from Phoenix to Indiana as part of the four-team deal in February, and she is on a one-year deal worth $100,000. Cunningham spent her entire career with the Mercury before the trade, starting on and off throughout her six seasons in Phoenix. Nicknamed 'Spicy Sophie,' she is known to have a flair on the court, and she is a career 36.6% 3-point shooter. She will likely have a large role in the rotation, backing up the 2 and the 3. Lexie Hull 6-1 guard | 2022 No. 6 pick (Stanford) | 4th year in WNBA | 25 2024 stats in Indiana: 5.5 points. 2.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists Hull, who will be on the final year of her rookie contract with Indiana in 2025, will likely see her role decrease this season because of the Fever's recent additions. Hull started the final 10 games of the season at the 3 and averaged 19 minutes per game over 34 games in 2024, and she picked up her 3-point shooting after the Olympic break with a career-high 22 points on Aug. 18. She will likely still be part of the rotation, but not as much as she was in the past. Sydney Colson 5-8 guard | 2011 No. 16 pick (Texas A&M) | 11th year in WNBA | 35 2024 stats with Las Vegas: 2.5 points, 0.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists Colson is bringing a championship mentality to the Fever, even if she may not see that many minutes on the court. She won two titles with Las Vegas in 2022 and '23, bouncing in and out of the rotation for the Aces. She may not get many minutes playing behind Clark, but she will be a good source of wisdom for Clark and the other young players hoping to win a title. Brianna Turner 6-3 forward | 2019 No. 11 pick (Notre Dame) | 7th year in WNBA | 28 2024 stats with Chicago: 1.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.4 assists Turner spent five years in Phoenix from 2019-23, starting most of four seasons for the Mercury — including when they went to the finals in 2021. Her role significantly decreased when she was traded to Chicago ahead of the 2024 season, as she sat behind rookies Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. Turner, a 2020 and '21 All-Defensive Team honoree averaging 4.6 points and 6.3 rebounds in her career, will likely be part of the frontcourt rotation behind Boston and Howard. Jaelyn Brown 6-1 guard/forward | undrafted in 2020 (Cal) | 2nd year in WNBA | 26 2024 stats with Dallas: 2.6 points, 1.5 rebounds, 0.4 assists Brown came to Indiana as part of the largest trade in WNBA history — a four-team trade that saw Indiana send NaLyssa Smith to Dallas and the 2025 No. 8 pick to Connecticut, while also receiving Cunningham from Phoenix. Brown had limited playing time in Dallas in 2024 because of various ailments, including a broken nose in training camp and an illness. She ended up playing 14 games for the Wings last season. She went undrafted in the 2020 WNBA draft after four years at Cal and started her professional career overseas. She got her first shot at the WNBA with Dallas in 2024 and stuck on the roster, despite her injuries. Brown is on a training camp contract, meaning her salary will not hit the cap unless she makes the opening day roster. If she were to make the roster, she would make the league-minimum $66,079. Jillian Alleyne 6-2 forward | 2016 No. 20 pick (Oregon) | 3rd year in WNBA | 30 2024-25 stats with Turkey's Tarsus Belediyesi Mersin: 18.6 points, 13.8 rebounds Indiana signed Alleyne to a training camp contract in March. Alleyne has played most of her professional career overseas, most recently in Turkey. Alleyne was drafted to the Mercury in the second round in 2016, but did not stick on Phoenix's opening day roster. She played five games for Minnesota in 2019 and signed a hardship contract with the Lynx in 2022. She would bring some frontcourt depth to the Fever, playing behind Boston, Howard, Dantas, and Turner. She would make the league-minimum $66,079 if she sticks on the opening day roster. Makayla Timpson 6-2 forward | 2025 No. 19 pick (Florida State) | Rookie | 22 2024-25 stats with Florida State: 13.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 0.6 assists Timpson was the Fever's first pick in the 2025 draft and comes to the Fever from Florida State. She broke multiple of Howard's records during her time as a Seminole, corralling 1,094 rebounds (over Howard's 1,046) and the program leader with 46 double-doubles in her four-year career. Timpson already has a connection to Howard with their similar positions and alma mater, and she could be a good depth piece for the Fever frontcourt. Bree Hall 6-0 guard | 2025 No. 20 pick (South Carolina) | Rookie | 21 2024-25 stats with South Carolina: 5.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 0.7 assists Hall, who played with Aliyah Boston at South Carolina for two years, is no stranger to success. She went to four straight Final Fours as a Gamecock and won the 2021 national championship with Boston. She will join a crowded guard room with the Fever, but her defensive efforts could make her stand out on a team that is prioritizing defense this season. Yvonne Ejim 6-1 forward | 2025 No. 33 pick (Gonzaga) | Rookie | 23 2024-25 stats with Gonzaga: 14.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists. Ejim, a forward, is coming to Indiana as the back-to-back West Coast Conference Player of the Year at Gonzaga. She left Bulldogs as the second all-time leading scorer in WCC history. She would give the Fever some frontcourt depth behind their main rotational players.
