Kelsey Mitchell, a guard for the Indiana Fever, recently opened up about the team’s adaptation to rookie sensation Caitlin Clark ¹. Mitchell described the learning process with Clark, highlighting the mutual adjustments required for success in the WNBA. She emphasized that Clark had to transition as a pro, and the team had to give her what she needs, be a resource, and fill those gaps in.
Mitchell praised Clark’s high basketball IQ, saying it will take the team a lot of places, and emphasized the importance of figuring out where each player fits in and learning how to read and adjust off of her. This adjustment has been crucial for the Fever, who have improved their fortunes alongside Clark’s development. After losing eight of their first nine games, Indiana has gone 12-7 since, solidifying their playoff position.
Coach Christie Sides credits this turnaround partly to changes the Fever implemented during the Olympic break, including challenging Clark to direct her teammates during practices. This helped Clark develop her leadership skills and improve her assist-to-turnover ratio. She recently broke the WNBA’s single-season rookie assist record, surpassing Ticha Penicheiro’s 26-year-old mark with 232 assists.
The Fever’s improved chemistry and Clark’s playmaking abilities will be crucial as they push for a playoff spot with 12 games remaining in the regular season. Clark’s impact extends beyond the court, with the Fever leading the WNBA in both home and road attendance, and television ratings for Fever games surging ¹.
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