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WNBA 2018 Rookie Report: Kelsey Mitchell

By Ben Dull

INDIANAPOLIS - MAY 8 : Kelsey Mitchell #0 of the Indiana Fever poses for a portrait during Indiana Fever Media Day at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on May 8, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS - MAY 8 : Kelsey Mitchell #0 of the Indiana Fever poses for a portrait during Indiana Fever Media Day at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on May 8, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Welcome to the 2018 Rookie Report. This initial set of posts will give a brief outlook on members of the 2018 WNBA draft class.

We will discuss the answers these players provide to their new teams along with questions that will need to be answered for them to maximize their potential as a player. We’ll close with thoughts on what will need to happen for each player to get some playing time and offer thoughts on what you should be looking forward right away as you tune in on League Pass. (Advanced stats obtained via HerHoopStats. Read their glossary here.)

Kelsey Mitchell

Round 1, Pick 2 – Indiana Fever

Age: 22 – Height: 5’11 – Position: Guard

2017-18 stats at Ohio State:

After trading away its longtime starting point guard this offseason, the Fever nabbed an big-time scorer with deep range and an explosive first step.

Answers she provides

  • Gravity as a three-point shooter to open up the floor for the team’s other ball handlers
  • Lightning-quick first step to get into the lane
  • Pedigree of a high volume scorer used to taking shots off the dribble
  • Reliable option to explore early in the shot clock after opponent makes or misses

Questions looking forward

  • Spraying kick out passes to shooters on the weak side
  • Finishing over or through bigs that have a chance to load up and wait for her at the rim
  • Defending both guard positions
  • Navigating screens on defense both on and off the ball

Path to playing time

As mentioned, the Fever traded away their longtime starter at the one. Erica Wheeler may ultimately play more as the nominal lead guard, but the runway is clear for Mitchell to get plenty of reps in as a shooter and creator alongside another quality ball handler.

One thing to watch right now

Where is she at right now as a distributor in the halfcourt? Head coach Pokey Chatman will be able to put together some really solid shooting lineups. 2017 All-Star Candice Dupree and newly acquired center Kayla Alexander in tandem would force defenses into tough decisions — cut off dribble penetration and cede an open jumper or stick to those knockdown midrange shooters and leave your guards to fend for themselves without help at the rim.

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