Natalie Achonwa leading through the trials of Indiana Fever

INDIANAPOLIS — She helped lead Notre Dame to four consecutive Final Four appearances. She was drafted No. 9 overall in the 2014 WNBA draft despite suffering a knee injury sustained in that season’s NCAA tournament. She is a two-time Olympian with team Canada and has captured three medals in international competition.

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And right now, Natalie Achonwa is doing all she can to lead.

In just her fourth season in WNBA, she finds herself as one of the veteran members of a young and struggling Fever team. It’s difficult task on and off the court. And sometimes that task can seem daunting, especially when your team is sitting at 0-9.

“I try to give as much as I can and sometimes that’s the tough part, is making sure that I have to also focus on doing my own job too,”  Achonwa told High Post Hoops, standing outside a silent and grim Fever locker room following their 101-92 OT loss to the Aces Tuesday night.

She did her job. In fact, she did it very well. The 6’3 forward poured in a new career high in both points and rebounds at 26 and 15. Not the easiest thing to do as an undersized post player going up against the size of the Las Vegas Aces.

“I was just really trying to stay aggressive. When you have teams that are big across the board like that, they tend to not box out, so they really just went to go get the rebound. I tried to go get rebounds and out hustle them,” Achonwa said.

Despite the career night, none of that seemed to matter to her. “It’s a good personal best but unfortunately, if you didn’t get the W in the win column and it really doesn’t make a difference,” she added. You could see the disappointment on her face. Nonetheless, Achonwa’s role as evolved throughout her short time in the league and right now, she is playing some of the most poised and best basketball of her career.

If it’s breaking personal records, motivating in a huddle, setting great screens or reminding her teammates what shirt to wear, it’s clear Achonwa is willing to do whatever it takes. “Everyone knows I’m a talker, and everyone knows that I normally know everything, So if anyone has a question, whether it’s what are we wearing on the plane or what do I do in this play, that’s what I really take pride in is using my IQ to help the team,” Achonwa said. “They will always hear me in their ear.”

Leadership comes from experience. It comes from trials and from being tested. And it comes from those we get the opportunity to emulate and learn from during our careers. It just so happened that on her record-breaking night, Achonwa’s college coach and legend, Muffet McGraw, was in attendance. Coincidence? I think not.

“I got to eat lunch with her before the game and talk. It’s always great to be around Coach McGraw, she brings out the best in me and always has,” Achonwa said, breaking her first smile. “I was really fortunate to have her in the crowd today.”

For the Fever, those trials are ever so present. At dead last in the league, this young team hasn’t even had the opportunity to experience a winning locker room yet. The overtime loss to the Aces may be the biggest blow yet. You can see the talent, you see the heart and camaraderie as they fight for every possession. The body language remains upbeat and hopeful on the floor.

Eventually, teams with great leaders break through. It may not show up in a win column right now, but just give it time. It will.