The Indiana Fever have high hopes for the season, especially as they enter into Caitlin Clark’s second year in the WNBA. After a successful rookie campaign, Clark stamped herself as the face of the league in many ways, at least with regards to the future.
Clark was responsible for some of the best ratings in women’s basketball history, making her a huge draw on national television, something that hadn’t been seen on a consistent basis ever in women’s basketball. While Clark has been dazzling audiences since college, her popularity reached a new level once she arrived in the WNBA.
Despite the popularity, the Fever still were unable to go far in the playoffs, but Clark’s regular season play let the world know that with the right supporting cast, she might be able to go far. With that in mind, the Fever went to work in the offseason to make the proper additions.
Cailtin Clark Reveals Her Role In Recruiting In Offseason
One thing that many people felt as the Fever went into the offseason is that they needed more veteran presence and a few additions to bolster their roster. Clark took recruiting into her own hands but quickly found out that some players were already chomping at the bit to join the Fever.
Clark made calls to big time players and veterans, only to find out some of these athletes were already considering the Fever, which showcases how they’ve managed to become a formidable team that is appealing to free agents and potential players in the market.
Caitlin Clark led her own recruiting push this offseason, reaching out to players that management was going after.
But she found that none of her calls had been particularly needed pic.twitter.com/owotjopCNW
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow)
“People want to come here and play with us and be a part of this organization. Honestly, in our case, it worked out pretty fast. Everyone wanted to come.”
The Indiana Fever’s Newest Additions
The Fever would add several players to their roster over the offseason, starting with the dynamic Sophie Cunningham, who was acquired via trade. Cunningham, who averaged 8.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists last season, could be a great veteran presence for Clark as she adjusts to her second season.
Sydney Colson, Natasha Howard, and DeWanna Bonner were also added to the team, making the Fever a team with long-tenured veterans and youthful exuberance through Clark and new draft additions Bree Hall, Makalya Timpson, and Yvonne Ejim.
The addition of Howard and Bonner will have a major impact on the Fever, as Howard is a 3-time WNBA Champion and former All-Star with a winning pedigree. Bonner is a long tenured veteran who is a 2-time WNBA champion and multiple time All-Star, but she’s still able to drop 15 points and 6 rebounds per game.
While Bonner, Cunningham, Colson, and Howard should be instrumental in helping the Fever win games, the head of the snake is always Clark. Will the Fever live up to expectations? Time will tell.
