Kelsey Buckets is here to stay.
The Indiana Fever ensured one of their most dynamic playmakers stays in Indy, announcing that they have re-signed veteran guard Kelsey Mitchell on Jan. 29.
Mitchell, 29, has been the driving force of the Fever’s backcourt since being selected No. 2 overall in the 2018 WNBA Draft. Over six seasons, she established herself as one of the league’s most consistent scorers.
In 2023, she averaged 18 points and three assists while shooting above 40% from the field and 36% from beyond the arc, earning her first All-Star selection.
In 2024, Mitchell averaged 19 points, 2.5 rebounds and two assists, leading to another All-Star nod alongside teammates Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark.
Fever head coach Stephanie White shared her thoughts about Mitchell staying in Indy.
“I’m thrilled that Kelsey is returning to Fever. She has been an integral part of this franchise from the moment she was drafted,” White said in a statement. “I have watched her journey from the sideline since her time in college and have always admired her work ethic, approach to the game and the way she interacts with her teammates. I can’t wait to work with her on a daily basis.”
Mitchell’s return provides much-needed continuity for the team. She remains a key piece alongside Boston, the No. 1 pick in 2023, and Clark, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft.
“Kelsey has been a foundation of our franchise for many years, and we are thrilled to see her return to the Fever,” President of Basketball and Business Operations Kelly Krauskopf said in a statement. “We value Kelsey’s commitment to our organization, and we’re excited to see her build off a phenomenal 2024, her best season yet. She is one of the best guards in this league and is a cornerstone to building a championship roster.”
Krauskopf was a part of the original staff that drafted Mitchell in 2018.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on TikTok @3Noral.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
