In between, every Fever player is involved in some obligation or another. They’re at a taping of Good Morning America to start the day. Some were on the Orange Carpet Thursday night, others were around and entertaining family during their time off. Regardless of the specifics, Fever players are holding the double-edged sword that is hosting All-Star weekend in their city. They get to be involved, meet fans, and make memories. But it’s hardly a break, in the conventional sense.
In the end, those activities net out as positive. Being involved and running into each other all over the city has been a joy for Indiana Fever players, who are psyched about Indianapolis being the host city.
“I can sleep in my own bed. It’s a busy weekend. Indy has a lot of events that they’ve set up, so I’m truly grateful that it’s here,” Hull said. “The way they’re doing it is amazing.”
Hull participated in the 3-point contest on Friday night, replacing Clark in the event after she had to withdraw due to an injury. Mitchell, Boston and Clark were named All-Stars and will be featured in the All-Star game on Saturday night. Clark is a captain, and Team Clark will be coached by New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello, who is amped to have Clark’s aid on the sideline.
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Indiana is a basketball-crazed state. Indianapolis is a basketball-crazed city. The resulting buzz downtown was obvious on Friday. Despite the high temperatures, clear skies drew fans into the city, and they’ll fill Gainbridge Fieldhouse across the two evenings.
For those with ties to the crossroads of America, it’s a top-tier event in a special place. “It’s exciting being here, and what better place to host it than in Indiana,” said Skylar Diggins, who was born in the Northern part of the state and played her college basketball at Notre Dame. “Hoosier hysteria is real.”
Diggins remembers growing up with a ball in her hand — a requirement for many Indiana natives. She still gets emotional coming to Indianapolis, and has a similar feeling even after being named an All-Star for the seventh time. It’s special, and that makes it emotional even for the Fever players involved, both in WNBA All-Star activities and community events.
Kesley Mitchell, for example, doesn’t get used to this. She was crushed when she was not named an All-Star four seasons ago. Now, she’s been recognized three years in a row as one of the best among her peers, and she got to be a face of the city as she fielded questions from media members for more than 15 minutes on Friday morning.
How does it feel to be an All-Star again? What is it like having the events here? How much has the league grown since you entered it? Those were the more serious questions Mitchell fielded. She also talked about having a break, her shoes, and some of the early WNBA legends she played with. Everyone wanted her thoughts with the festivities in Indy.
“I think it’s fun for the city. I think it’s fun for our families,” Mitchell said. “It’s just fun for the world, everything that’s happening.”
Nobody will ever be more grateful to be named an All-Star than Mitchell, who nearly reached tears after falling short in the past. Her growth — and being the face of the Fever for several years — makes her a likable figure for fans. Those fans now get to see her every day as a three-time All-Star representing the Indiana Fever.
“I’ll never be ungrateful. I know who I am from a standpoint of what I’ve been through,” Mitchell said, with Boston holding her media availability a few feet away. “You’ve got to take these opportunities for what they are, and I’ll never take it for granted.”
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That’s what Fever players hope to do this weekend with their extra opportunities in their home market. Sydney Colson has been on multiple television broadcasts and is scheduled to perform stand-up comedy tomorrow. Sophie Cunningham was courtside for the 3-point contest and skills challenge, as were Natasha Howard and Colson. They’re taking advantage of the chance to be involved without having to travel.
“I love that part about being in my bed,” Boston shared. “I am in my apartment. I am knocked out. I think it’s great. I think Indy does a great job showing out.”
That’s the blend the Fever are blessed with. They can reach basketball fans, and passionate ones at that, while still staying home. It’s an opportunity only afforded to them, and they are taking advantage.
Hull fills in for the 3-point contest, bows out early
With Clark on the shelf, a replacement in the 3-point contest was needed. Hull was announced as that player at 8 a.m. on the day of the event. “I was not expecting to be in the 3-point,” Hull told The Next. She had no practice time. “We’re just going to go out there, have some fun.”
Hull scored 20 points in the first round, a respectable total that kept her alive for a moment. Her teammates mobbed her for a short celebration under the basket afterwards. But she was eliminated soon after as Sabrina Ionescu took home the title. “It’s so fun,” Hull said after her performance. “I wish I could do it again right now.”
Hull spoke about her 3-point contest participation at Unrivaled HQ. She won a title in the league’s inaugural season. “I love Unrivaled,” she said. “It’s a great option and opportunity for a lot of us to play in the offseason.”
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Boston launches a podcast with WNBA legend Candace Parker
Boston and Parker are teaming up for a weekly podcast called Post Moves, and they recorded a debut live episode in downtown Indianapolis. The first actual episode will come out later this month, and they will post one every Wednesday.
The two mega talents discussed all sorts of topics: their “welcome to the league” moments, the best five players in WNBA history, and so much more, while sitting on a stage in front of a crowd of roughly 50 people. Boston and Parker laughed often and had great chemistry in their debut.
“I was super excited. I think it’s something that initially is a little out of my comfort zone where I don’t really just get up and do all that talking,” Boston said. “But I think it was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass [up], especially doing a podcast with Candace. That’s an opportunity that’s like, whoa.”
Boston plans to be on every episode, and her hope is to develop her interviewing skills. She has previous TV experience, and this is the next step in her media journey. “We can pick the topics, we can pick the guests. The world is our oyster.”
Tomorrow, Boston and Mitchell will play in the All-Star game. The Fever will then get back to it with practices early in the coming week.
