Indiana fever star Caitlin Clark Journalists in Indianapolis said on Monday that it was “really excited” by the additions that the team had made this offseason. As well as the registration Kelsey MitchellThe fever has signed Dewanna Bonner,, Natasha Howard And Sydney Colson and exchanged against Sophie Cunningham.
“I was able to work with DB,” said Clark after Bonner’s introductory press conference. “While some off -season leagues and things abroad end a little, many of them will start to come back and I think it will be very fun to get into the gymnasium and be with my teammates and start to start Assemble the parts and to see works or what does not.
The young nucleus of the fever, led by Clark, Mitchell and Aliyah Bostonbrought the team to its first appearance in the playoffs since 2016 last season, but they were swept in the first round by Bonner and the Connecticut Soleil. Rather than resting on their laurels, the new front office of fever, led by the president of basketball operations Kelly Krauskopf and the director general Amber Cox, put the reconstruction in overdrive.
They started the process by stealing another key figure from the sun, Stephanie White, whom they hired as a new coach after dismissed Christie’s sides. Then they started to improve the list and the changing rooms. To improve, in particular on the defensive, was not the only objective. Becoming more experienced was essential. The team of last season had only 19 appearances combined in the playoffs.
“This is what everyone talked about when we were in the playoffs last year. We really didn’t have much experience when playing playoffs,” said Clark. “So, adding players who have been in this league, they know what you need to win, they know what it takes to get to the final, they know what it takes to win championships. I think that This is exactly what we needed in our locker room. “
Clark: “The next years will be incredible”
Bonner is a double champion who has been in the league since 2009, and his 87 career playoffs are the most among active players. Howard, for his part, brings three titles and 53 experiences in the playoff series, which is equal to the fourth row of active players. While Colson cannot match these two for appearances in the playoffs, she made her debut in WNBA in 2011 and won two titles with the AS de Las Vegas In 2022 and 2023. Even Cunningham has existed since 2019 and has been to the playoffs five times.
“I think that each person you ask in this league or his former teammates they have had, they have only good things to say about them,” said Clark. “This is the reason why all the best teams went after this type of players, because they know the type of asset they are in the locker room.”
The efforts of the fever This intersatation was not limited to the team or even to the front office. In January, The organization has announced a training installation of $ 78 millionwho will be completed in time for the 2027 season. This type of financial commitment was a major reason why free agents like Bonner were ready to join the team.
“Coming to a franchise that grows female sports … I’m just blessed,” said Bonner. “I’m just honored to be here now, and I hope I can turn off the product that everyone deserves here.”
Clark echoes these comments, calling fever “THE Franchise of all female sports … whatever the sport. “The recruit of the year 2024 is confident that these investments will report dividends.
“They see the type of crowds we get, the excitement that we generate not only in Indiana but throughout the country,” said Clark. “I think that the next few years will be incredible for this franchise and will continue to be, hopefully, more than 10 years. I hope we will win a few championships.”