Fever keep star backcourt together with latest WNBA offseason signing

It’s official. That sound you heard was Indiana Fever fans breathing a sigh of relief. The organization announced on Wednesday that it had re-signed All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell. Several stars have joined new teams amid what’s turned into a chaotic WNBA offseason, but Mitchell won’t be one of them.

The Fever had a spotlight on them all season long because of Caitlin Clark, but Mitchell’s impact can’t be understated. The 29-year-old had the best season of her career in 2024. She averaged a career-best 19.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, shooting 46.8% from the field and 40.2% from three.

Mitchell played a significant role in helping Indiana clinch its first playoff berth since 2016, two years before the Fever selected Mitchell with the No. 2 overall pick. Connecticut swept Indiana in the first round, but that postseason experience will prove valuable to a Fever team with high expectations under their new head coach Stephanie White.

All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell re-signs with Indiana Fever

Mitchell’s veteran presence will continue to be instrumental for a young Fever squad. Clark said she’s “fortunate” to play alongside Mitchell and that the veteran helped her flourish in her transition to the WNBA. It will be exciting to see what that duo can accomplish in 2025, along with fellow star Aliyah Boston.

Indiana has its sights set on a championship, and the team is on a better track than many expected, even after drafting Clark. Mitchell has been with the Fever for seven years and was one of the lone bright spots during otherwise abysmal seasons. Watching her now contribute to winning basketball has been rewarding for everyone involved.

Fever president Kelly Krauskopf said at the start of the offseason that retaining Mitchell was the team’s number one priority. Indiana can now check that off the list.

Mitchell signed a core contract with the Fever, meaning she signed a one-year supermax deal worth $249,244. She could become a free agent next offseason when a new collective bargaining agreement is expected to be in place that will increase WNBA salaries, or Indiana could core her again for the second consecutive year.