Kelsey Mitchell is almost unstoppable when she wants to get to the rim. Few players can compete with her speed. She is also a great 3-point shooter, hitting at least 39% on over six attempts per game for three consecutive seasons. The Fever star is also working hard to add another layer to her game.
When Mitchell appeared on Between the Lines with Lisa Leslie, the former Sparks star said, “I remember talking to you and saying, ‘Kelsey you go so hard to the basket and taking all those hits, I need a little bit more mid-range game.’ But I saw you made some adjustments. You knocked down the three ball, but that mid-range game, right?”
Mitchell responded, “It’s coming.”
Mitchell takes most of her shots from three or around the basket
Per the WNBA’s stat page, Mitchell took 691 shots last season. Of those 691 shots, 570 came either from three, in the restricted area, or in the paint. 121 came in the mid-range. That’s a solid number and means opponents definitely have to worry about Mitchell’s ability to knock down mid-range shots. She sank them at a decent clip, too, converting 36.4% of her shots.
Compared to her other shooting percentages, that number doesn’t look as great, though. Mitchell shot 59.6% in the restricted area, 45% in the paint, and 39.4% from three.
Utilizing her ability in the mid-range more and upping her efficiency a bit would make Mitchell even more unguardable than she already is.
Mitchell should be back with the Fever next season
Mitchell, like almost every WNBA veteran, currently exists in a state of uncertainty. She is an unrestricted free agent, but the CBA negotiations are still not where they should be, and the possibility of the 2026 season being delayed or players striking is becoming more and more realistic.
Once the CBA is sorted out, Mitchell should re-sign with the Fever. Mitchell stayed with the franchise throughout several losing seasons, so why would she leave now that the team is winning? The organization has also made it clear already that re-signing Mitchell is a priority.
Once that is sorted out, the front office has to decide what to do with Natasha Howard, Sophie Cunningham, Damiris Dantas, Sydney Colson, Lexie Hull, Brianna Turner, Aari McDonald, and Odyssey Sims. Re-signing Hull, who is a restricted free agent, should also be a no-brainer. She fits Caitlin Clark’s and Aliyah Boston’s timeline and provides exactly what the Fever need around their big three: strong defense, 3-point shooting, and the willingness to do the little things that don’t always show up on the stat sheet.