The Indiana Fever shocked the league in 2025 by reaching the semifinals even without a fully healthy Caitlin Clark. Now the franchise is preparing for a critical offseason, and head coach Stephanie White has made it clear who sits at the top of her priority list. Kelsey Mitchell, the team’s most reliable scorer, is the player White refuses to lose as the Fever build toward a bigger run in 2026.
The Fever entered the 2025 season with major expectations, but almost nothing went as planned after Caitlin Clark dealt with injuries through the first half of the year. Most teams would have collapsed without their franchise star, yet Indiana kept fighting and turned into one of the league’s most resilient groups. The leadership of head coach Stephanie White and the elevated play of Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston were central to that success.
Mitchell, who has spent her entire WNBA career with the Fever, stepped into the scoring void left during Clark’s absence. She averaged a career best 20.2 points per game and carried the offense through long stretches of the season. That growth did not go unnoticed. White praised Mitchell during her recent appearance on Sue Bird’s podcast, calling her the definition of a pro and the steady presence the franchise has leaned on through difficult years.
According to White, Mitchell’s consistency goes far beyond scoring. She highlighted her attitude, her work ethic, and her loyalty to the organization. For a team that struggled heavily after the Tamika Catchings era, Mitchell became the anchor who kept the locker room together. As the Fever prepare for their next chapter with Clark, Boston, and a revamped roster, White made it obvious that Mitchell deserves to be part of the success she helped keep alive.
Mitchell now enters unrestricted free agency, but there is little doubt about what both sides want. The Fever want her back. Mitchell wants to stay. And White’s public praise is a strong signal to the front office that re-signing her is a necessary move if Indiana hopes to compete at the highest level in 2026.
With Clark expected to return fully healthy and Boston continuing to evolve as an interior force, keeping Mitchell would give the Fever one of the most balanced and explosive offensive trios in the league. The momentum from their semifinal run, paired with a strong offseason, could position Indiana as a contender with real championship potential.
Comment Section Prompt
Do you think Kelsey Mitchell will re-sign with the Fever, or will another team try to pull her away? Share your thoughts below
About the Author
