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The Indiana Fever have made major steps to put the league on notice as a real championship contender by adding solid veteran pieces and heavily relying on fourth-year wing Lexie Hull. She’s stepped up in several significant ways for the Fever and her teammates have taken notice, specifically Caitlin Clark. In a pregame presser before Thursday night’s game against the Golden State Valkyries, Clark made it clear that Hull is her leading candidate for the league’s Most Improved Player.
“In my eyes, I think she’s probably the top player in this league for most improved,” Clark said.
It’s no doubt that Hull has been the Fever’s most consistent and impactful player. She finished 2024 as the league’s best 3-point shooter, however, after having a quiet performance in Unrivaled’s 3v3 competition during the offseason, fans were left speculating that last season’s impressive campaign may have been a fluke. She quickly quieted the doubters and currently sits as the league’s best 3-point shooter, again. Although still early in voting, Hull currently sits in ninth for the WNBA All-Star fan voting, and for good reason.
The Indiana Fever are a different team when Lexie Hull is on the floor. Not Caitlin Clark different, but in her own tenacious and energetic way.
Her shooting capabilities are solid, and according to her stat line and Clark, she has stapled herself as one of the best defensive players – not just on her team, but in the entire WNBA. She has recorded an average of 1.3 steals in each of her last ten games played and leads the league in a not-so-common defensive category: offensive fouls drawn. Hull currently sits at 12 and no other player in the league has more than seven. Her ability to draw offensive fouls has been significant for the Fever who struggled in defensive stats as a team last season.
“She’s our best defensive player. I think she’s one of the best defensive players in the league. She’s active. She’s aggressive. And also, she shoots the ball really well over the course of the last two seasons, she’s made a lot of threes for us,” Clark added.
Hull’s offensive skills have improved each game. She is shooting a league-leading 56.3 percent from beyond the arc and has also produced an impressive 47.3 percent on her field goals. The chemistry she has quickly built with each of her teammates has helped in facilitating a high-power offense and quick tempo, which is how head coach Stephanie White likes to operate.
Hull stepped up in a huge way amid Clark’s three week absence. She faced the challenge of becoming a regular starter head on and is a difference maker for her team. Checking all of these boxes is what makes her the league’s strongest candidate for most improved.
She struggled early on in her career after being drafted sixth overall out of Stanford. The Fever didn’t have the developmental pieces around her to help build her game. Since Clark’s arrival, it’s obvious Hull’s confidence is through the roof, especially when the two of them are on the court together. Despite the Fever sitting currently at a .500 record, Lexie Hull has quickly proven to be one of the most masterful pieces on the roster.
