People questioned everything they saw with the Indiana Fever last season. Fitness, referee calls, Stephanie White’s drawing board, the list was endless. But one thing nobody dared to comment on negatively was the Fever culture.

Many of us believe that is solely what got them to the semifinals. Anyway, amid this boom in the Indy side with new faces coming in every year, Kelsey Mitchell has never been one to be jealous or hold a grudge, even if Caitlin Clark had a bigger say than her. Sophie Cunningham just added some more weight to that belief.

Kelsey Mitchell has been with the Fever since 2018, and despite the ever-changing system, she has continued to grow. On the Show Me Something pod, Sophie Cunningham recently said, “Yeah, as she should. When you have a generational talent like that, she should have a lot to say of the system. I also think when she got in with Kelsey Mitchell, like those two, it is interesting to see how they’ve grown to be teammates, because both of them need the ball in their hands.”

“But I think that they have played together enough that they both get that opportunity, and when they both can elevate each other, that team is unstoppable,” Cunningham concluded.

It’s been a rare sight when two teammates have considered themselves as equal faces of a franchise. Kobe and Shaq are one example (just their partnership), but can you think of another?

“As a friend and as a player, you better appreciate her, because certain doors have opened because she’s come to the Fever. You have to respect that,” Kelsey Mitchell humbly said in praise of Caitlin Clark, a few weeks ago, before calling their (Hull, Clark, Boston, Mitchell) bond a “match made in heaven.”

via Imago

Last season, Kelsey Mitchell certainly proved how much the Fever needed her.

The Indy side’s year was practically ruined by injuries. After Caitlin Clark was ruled out for the season in mid-July, it fell upon Mitchell to be more efficient on the offensive front. By the end of the season, she was averaging 20.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists, having started all 44 games. The 20.2 points were a career high, along with a franchise record.

Even Stephanie White admitted that Kelsey Mitchell “carried” the team multiple times across the season. But don’t think for a second that Caitlin Clark didn’t like Kelsey Mitchell getting the attention in her absence. In fact, the 2024 ROTY was nothing but full of praise after the 29-year-old bagged a significant honor.

Caitlin Clark was happy to see Kelsey Mitchell earn a well-deserved All-WNBA First-Team spot

A few days ago, it was announced that Kelsey Mitchell had made the All-WNBA First-Team for the first time! She became only the third player in franchise history to receive that recognition. A long list of heartwarming messages poured in from social media soon after the news broke. The official Fever X account also shared a video. It showcased everyone sending their best wishes from Sophie Cunningham to Odyssey Sims. Caitlin Clark also praised Mitchell, saying that there was “truly nobody more deserving” of the honor.

“It was incredible getting to watch you from the front row, literally, every single night. What you did for our team was just incredible. So, couldn’t be more happy for you. Couldn’t be more lucky to be your teammate, and I hope it’s that way for many more years to come. Proud of you,” Clark said.

Like the popular analyst Rachel DeMita, who once felt Kelsey Mitchell had “flown under the radar,” we at EssentiallySports raised a similar thought that she was deserving of the MVP award last season. And we’ll always stand by that statement. While she was named one of five finalists this year, who knows, if she steals the spotlight again next season, perhaps we might see her lifting the title.