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Indiana Fever retain Shenise Johnson, Natalie Achonwa and Erica Wheeler

By Howard Megdal

WHITE PLAINS, NY - JUNE 10: Kelsey Mitchell #0 Natalie Achonwa #11 and Shenise Johnson #42 of the Indiana Fever looks on prior to the game against the New York Liberty on June 10, 2018 at Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WHITE PLAINS, NY - JUNE 10: Kelsey Mitchell #0 Natalie Achonwa #11 and Shenise Johnson #42 of the Indiana Fever looks on prior to the game against the New York Liberty on June 10, 2018 at Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Pokey Chatman keeps a core group together.

While the Indiana Fever are bent upon improving after last season’s 6-28 campaign, the team announced Friday that it is keeping three free agents who they see as key to making that jump.

The Fever have retained guard Shenise Johnson, an unrestricted free agent, along with two restricted free agents — guard Erica Wheeler and big Natalie Achonwa — all critical to Indiana taking steps forward in 2019. High Post Hoops previously reported that Achonwa was likely to stay.

“We are thrilled to have three key veterans returning to the roster,” Fever coach and general manager Pokey Chatman said in a press release. “It says a lot about their commitment to the process and their teammates, as well as to our franchise.”

It can be argued that the Johnson injury — she missed all of 2018, after tearing her left ACL midway through the 2017 season —has affected the Fever as much as anything. The Fever were 7-7 when she was lost for the season in 2017. They finished 2-18, then 6-28 in 2018 without her. She is an important two-way player who stretches opposing defenses with her shooting.

“I’m so excited for Shenise to return to the court,” Chatman said. “She’s a dynamic veteran who gives us size and speed, along with the ability to space the floor and create offensively.”

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As for Achonwa, she enjoyed one of the biggest improvements, year-over-year, in 2018, starting all 34 games, lifting her player efficiency rating from 16.2 to 18.7, and leading the Fever with 3.2 win shares. It is easy to imagine her versatile game next to a big, space-consuming five.

“Nat had a great season for us,” Chatman said. “She’s a blue-collar, fundamentally sound, high I.Q. player that has continued to expand her game every year. She is a truly a star when it comes to the intangibles.”

As for Wheeler, the Rutgers grad continued her strong playmaking ways, putting up a career-beast 33.2 assist percentage, while slashing her turnover percentage to 13.5, a vital set of skills for a team that plays at Chatman’s elevated pace.

Virtually every other player is already signed for 2019, though decisions remain on Cappie Pondexter and Asia Taylor.

And there will be a big, clear addition, too: the Fever pick third in the 2019 WNBA draft. Our current big board projects them taking Teaira McCowan of Mississippi State.

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