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Many fans wonder, ‘What are the girls up to?’ during the offseason. The short answer: They are still hooping.
Aliyah Boston, the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year, participates in the inaugural season of Unrivaled, a 3×3 basketball league founded by Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart. This league offers players a unique platform, showcasing their talents during the WNBA offseason.
Boston said the new league is a great way to hone multiple areas of her game, highlighting that her abilities in the post and around the rim have always been her “bread and butter.”
After signing with the Indiana Fever in February 2024, Katie Lou Samuelson joined Phantom BC for the Unrivaled league’s inaugural season. This opportunity allows Samuelson to maintain competitive play and refine her game during the WNBA’s pause.
Kelsey Mitchell, a cornerstone of the Fever’s backcourt, currently plays overseas with the Shanxi Flame in China. Mitchell dropped 18 points, five rebounds and two steals in a win with the Flame on Jan. 24.
Damiris Dantas took her talents to Turkey, where she plays for Botaş SK. Her participation in the Turkish league allows her to hone areas of her game such as three-point shooting and post moves. The same areas greatly helped the Fever during their 2024 playoff run.
Dantas tallied up 23 points, 11 rebounds and four assists on Jan. 20.
Defense-centric Lexie Hull also participates in the Unrivaled league, representing Rose BC. Engaging in this 3×3 format offers her a different realm of competitiveness, enhancing her versatility and decision-making skills on the hardwood.
Interestingly, 2024 Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark has chosen not to participate in any basketball leagues during the offseason. Conversely, she celebrated her 23rd birthday on Jan. 22 by showcasing her impressive three-point shooting accuracy, making 50 out of 54 attempts during a workout at the Fever’s training center.
In organizational news, the Fever have unveiled plans for a state-of-the-art, $78 million sports performance complex in downtown Indianapolis. The three-story, 108,000-square-foot facility features two full-length basketball courts, a weight room, a kitchen and spa-like amenities. The facility is slated to open just in time for the 2027 WNBA season.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on TikTok @3Noral. For more sports, click here.
