The Chosen Three: Indiana Fever 2018 team preview
“We got exactly who we wanted at each pick…we didn’t think that would happen.” –Head Coach Pokey Chatman to Howard Megdal, Locked on Women’s Basketball podcast
The Fever got a trio of top players as a result of the 2018 WNBA Draft. Kelsey Mitchell (2nd overall pick) and Victoria Vivians (8th overall) were selected first round and Stephanie Mavunga (14th overall) rounded out the draft picks in the second.
Mitchell’s spot-on shooting will help round out the Indiana offense, which suffered a deficit to opponents last year—75.1 points per game vs. 84.3 allowed per game. Heavily decorated during her collegiate career, Mitchell left Ohio State as the school’s all-time leading scorer, shooting around 50 percent from the floor and 40 percent from range. Mitchell is a combo guard that will mesh with the likes of Erica Wheeler and Tiffany Mitchell, creating a strong, young backcourt.
Vivans can easily be interchangeable from the two, three and four positions. She, too, has the offensive versatility to help the Fever this upcoming season. Along with her consistency from range, she has the size to be effective on the inside.
Mavunga gives Indiana size down low. She is another 6’3 big who can join alongside newly acquired Kayla Alexander, snatching rebounds. The Fever averaged 28.2 rebounds per game to opponents’ 35.2 last year.