Fever reunited, healthy as training camp opens
With Caitlin Clark cleared and continuity in place, Indiana begins its 27th WNBA season emphasizing health, chemistry, and championship expectations.
The sun was shining in downtown Indianapolis on Sunday, a cool spring day.
Driving south into downtown, the Indiana Fever’s new $78 million practice facility has taken shape. The final beam was recently installed, and at this time next year, the sounds will come from inside — sneakers on the floor and players communicating.
Instead, that energy was two blocks away on Salesforce Court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
It’s the 30th season of the WNBA, and this Fever team, led by Caitlin Clark, is the most popular and talked-about group in the league. That’s why Clark didn’t shy away from saying they’ll be championship favorites — even back in March, before the draft and free agency.
Sunday marked Day 1 of training camp, with players getting acclimated on the court. New practice jerseys hung along the sideline, and each player stopped by to grab their preferred size.
The anticipation is high for this season, as is the relief that they’ve reached this point. A new Collective Bargaining Agreement was finalized one month ago, though the full language is still being completed by lawyers.
Teams got what they want in having a season while players are enjoying revenue sharing for the first time, along with significant increases in salary and benefits.
In less than three weeks, the WNBA completed an expansion draft, free agency, and the draft. Now, it all comes together.
“Everything’s kind of been a whirlwind, as it’s been across the league,” said Stephanie White, who enters her second season as Fever head coach. “To be able to finally get on the floor, it’s an exciting time.”
Players arrived in Indianapolis throughout the past week and gathered as a full group for the first time on Friday. There were smiles, hugs, and reunions — along with introductions.
White’s message to the group was simple: protect the locker room and all that made for a special ride last postseason, and take another step. Show up ready to work and make progress daily. Never stray from the standard, which centers on their ‘we over me’ mentality.
“We’re going to continue to prioritize the locker room and the chemistry in the locker room and the continuity,” White said. “And we have to expect more of ourselves on a daily basis. It’s about consistency, it’s about how we do the work and it’s about putting ourselves in position for success.”
The Fever signed MVP finalist Kelsey Mitchell to the WNBA’s first supermax contract, worth $1.4 million. They re-signed fan favorites Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham. They added key free agent Monique Billings and drafted point guard Raven Johnson. Most importantly, Clark is healthy.
