Clark marks approval for Fever’s offseason moves | News, Sports, Work

AP File Photo – Indiana Fever Guard Caitlin Clark (22) will respond on September 25, 2024 during the first round WNBA playoff game against the Connecticut Sun in UNCASVILLE, Connecticut.

INDIANAPOLIS – Kate Rinklerk was relatively quiet as Indiana Fever set out for a massive offseason overhaul.

Stephanie White took over as coach. Ambercox has become general manager. The construction of a new training facility has been announced. And the franchise brought in WNBA champions De Wanna Bonner and Natasha Howard.

The team welcomed Bonner on Monday, and Clark was there to squeal the offseason move.

“They know what it takes to win, they know what it takes to reach the final. They know what it takes to win the championship,” Clark told the rookie. I mentioned it. “I think it’s something you need in the locker room. But they’re not just really good basketball players, they’re great leaders and great people, and I know the front office that prioritized it.”

Without a doubt, Clark still runs this team on the court.

In his historic season featuring the league’s Rookie of the Year, he defeated the WNBA singleseason mark for assists, playing on a daily basis in front of sold-out crowds and portraying television ratings. The year’s seasonal drought brings the franchise back to national prominence.

And with all-star shooting guard Kelsey Mitchell, 2023’s rookie of the year and all-star forward Ariya Boston, both of which are thought to be possible next season, Clark could make an even bigger leap in 2025, and the newcomers also made the same decision. I believe when I see it.

“This is a franchise of all women’s sports. No matter what sport it is, I say,” she said. “They see the type of crowd we get, the excitement we’re creating not only in Indiana but across the nation. The next few years will be amazing for this franchise, and hopefully in the next decade. We’ll continue. Hopefully we’ll win some championships.”

In fact, Indiana has met one obvious omission since last year. It’s a postseason experience.

Last week, Fever reintroduced two-time All-Star and three-time league champion Howard into the franchise, which drafted fifth overall in 2014.

Bonner, a six-time All-Star and two-time league champion who needs seven points to surpass Tina Thompson in third place on the WNBA career scoring list, worked with Clark before an introductory press conference .

After that, Clark attended the event and although she had no plans to talk, she did anyway.

“I think it’s so much fun to get in the gym and be with my teammates, put together the pieces and see what works and what doesn’t,” Clark said. “But I think we have a lot of different options to do a lot of different things, and I think that’s really exciting.”

Meanwhile, Bonner will wear No. 25 instead of the traditional No. 24, as the number retired due to fever in honor of Hall of Fame Tamica Catching. Now, Bonner can focus on teaming up with Clark and Boston on the court, helping to coach championship players in the locker room.

Clark and Bonner made cross passes in one notable exchange last year when they got caught up in a short brawl during the second and final game of the playoff series.

“I think it was just two competitive players who wanted to win the team and get them to the finish line,” Bonner said. “It’s a playoff, so the emotions are high and the tension is high, but I’m excited to step into the court with Caitlin. I think we feed each other a lot.”

That’s certainly a plan as Indiana continues to fine-tune its roster.

Team officials also signed two-time league champion free agent guard Sidney Colson last week, buying guard Sophie Cunningham from Phoenix in a four-team deal that pushed Indiana forward Narissa Smith forward. We announced that we had done it.

Indiana also abandoned former drafters Grace Berger and Victoria Saxton, with team officials unveiling them, and Katie Lou Samuelson agreeing to a different approach with each other.

White, Cox and president of basketball and business operations Kelly Krauskopf has yet to say whether he finished the move before the WNBA draft in April.

Even if not, Clark and Bonner each believe this version of the heat can compete for the title. That’s why free agents got involved in the fever.

“Dynamic point guards can easily get you to score. I think playing with Kelsey and AB (Boston) is easy to score easily before talking about the crowd at a press conference. I came in, I said, “Oh my god, I don’t know if I’ve been in front of this many media people.” Hopefully, I can put out the product that everyone deserves here. ”