Who Are the Greatest Indiana Fever Players in WNBA History?

The Indiana Fever has experienced a surge in the following of the franchise, especially after Caitlin Clark arrived in the league. However, Caitlin Clark is not the only player who has blessed the franchise with the love of the fans. Throughout the history of the WNBA, Indiana Fever was able to groom some of the players who kept on assuring that the WNBA community remembers the name of the franchise.

It was not just about the numbers that they had put up in their pro-basketball career on an individual level. Rather, they elevated their team and kept it prominent on the map of the WNBA. Today, we are going to discuss the best of these players who blessed the Indiana fever with their presence.

Best Indiana Fever Players of All Time

According to the Olympics, Tamika Catchings can be regarded as the greatest WNBA player from the Indiana Fever franchise. In the language of teammates, Catchings was referred to as “the player you want to have on your team.” Also, when it comes to stats, she still tops the career playoff rebound and career steals.

The reason why Tamika Catchings is regarded as the face of the Indiana Fever franchise is because she played her first 14 seasons with the team. Apart from the on-court excellence, she was also loved by the fans of the Fever. Here are the achievements that she got during her stint with Indiana Fever.

Even now, Tamika Catchings is the only player who led Indiana Fever to the Finals in 2012 and won the championship by beating the Minnesota Lynx 3-1 in the WNBA Finals. Apart from that championship, the Fever are yet to get another one in their 24-year-long history. That’s why Tamika Catchings is a Basketball Hall of Fame legend. Though another player might not have made a mark as big as Tamika Catchings, they made sure to keep the team relevant over the years.

Let’s take a look at some of these players who were not as decorated as Tamika Catchings but kept the Fever franchise prominent in the league.

Katie Douglas

Katie Douglas was the defensive prodigy who assisted Tamika Catchings with the WNBA Championship campaign in 2012 and the WNBA Finals run in 2009. Katie used to go hard around the rim as a rebounder and was a shooter from the perimeter. Tamika Catchings was heavy on defensive abilities, but on the court as a team, she used to get backup from Katie Douglas, who kept the hopes of the Indiana Fever roster alive.

Tully Bevilaqua

Indiana Fever has risen to success due to its various successful guards who elevated the quality of the game from time to time. From 2005-2010, this baton belonged to the point guard Tully Bevilaqua. Last year, the Fever team even added her to their coaching staff in April, as per their official announcement.

Natalie Achonwa

The 6’3″ forward from Notre Dame was an anchor during transition years for the Indiana Fever. She stayed with the Indiana Fever from the 2015 season to the 2020 season.

During these six seasons, especially in the second half, she put up above 20 points average and had a great performance as a defensive rebounder. That’s why the Fever never lacked on defense during that era.

Briann January

Briann January was the point guard who not only witnessed the Catchings era but also saw the aftermath of Fever’s peak. She played with the team from 2009 to 2017 and played alongside greats to lead her team to the championship. Including the WNBA title, January’s storied career has seen her compile several accolades while in Indiana.

Three trips to the WNBA Finals with a championship ring, an All-Star appearance in 2014, and six All-Defensive teams highlight the top of the list. January is one of four players to lead the league in three-point percentage more than once (2015 and 2017), and among career statistics within the Fever franchise, she sits in the top 10 in nearly every major category.

Erica Wheeler

Erica Wheeler did not have a normal learning curve in her pro-basketball career. She first played for the Indiana Fever during the 2016-2019 period, and then, after two years, she made a comeback. The 2023 and 2024 seasons of the WNBA player proved to be the years when the league witnessed her true potential.

She went undrafted in the 2015 WNBA Draft, and that’s why she played for the Atlanta Dream and New York Liberty jointly for a year. Her tenure in Indiana culminated in a breakout 2019 season in which she was named to the WNBA All-Star team and won MVP of the game, the first undrafted player to complete that feat as per the WNBA.

Ranking the Best Players from the Indiana Fever

The Indiana Fever players’ rankings will always start with Tamika Catchings due to her consistent numbers throughout her long career. On the other end, the other players could not earn the same fame but still impacted the franchise with their performance under pressure or in playoffs. Here is a breakdown of the rankings of the best Indiana Fever players and their career data from the ESPN archives.

Retired Indiana Fever Players

Every dawn witnesses dusk, and so do the Fever players who etched their names in the WNBA league. With her jersey retired in 2017, Tamika Catchings stands as the most-known retired player of the Indiana Fever. She retired in 2016 and became the owner of Tea’s Me Cafe in Indianapolis in 2017.  Tamika’s impact will go along with the other players guiding and running community outreach programs.

Other prominent retired stars are Katie Douglas and Tully Bevilaqua with great impacts through their Fever periods. Retirement has altogether signaled the end of a successful period defined by a hard-hitting defense and great shooting ability. Even Natalie Achonwa retired from basketball as a player to become an assistant coach for the University of Michigan women’s basketball team. 

Also Read: 2025 WNBA Mock Draft: All Rounds and Top Picks

Dawn of New Era for the Indiana Fever

The Indiana Fever is ushering in a new era with the emergence of young stars like Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark, who bring a fresh wave of talent and excitement to the franchise. As the team continues to develop its future stars, the Fever is poised for a promising chapter in the WNBA.

Aliyah Boston

Aliyah Boston, the 2023 No.1 draft pick from the 2023 draft class, has proved her class in the league. However, these are just growth years for her and she is still learning in the league. As a forward, she has portrayed herself as the overall player of every skill in the league.

She played all two seasons and displayed her skills in all aspects of the court. However, the dominant corner of her game is the rebounding abilities that she showcases around the paint. Even her assist stats in the league tackles the stats of the best playmakers in the league.

Caitlin Clark

Caitlin Clark was a rampaging force in the league last year as a rookie. The numbers that she sent throughout the league with her new male following brought revolutionary changes. Even as a rookie, she earned various accolades and surpassed records like single-season scoring and assist leader, among others. If you want to learn more about the records from Caitlin Clark, do check out the piece on the Indiana Fever guard’s record breaking performances.

Indiana Fever Players Released

Roster changes are a regular part of professional sports, and the Fever has had its share of player releases. The most prominent that had a big impact on the Indiana Fever team was Candice’s release. When Candice Dupree completed six years in the team, she was released together with other seasoned players. The message that the Fever management released with their move was their focus on nurturing the young talent.

Usually, the management backfires when they make such bold moves. However, a certain period of time, like two or three years, the investment in young talents pays back. And that’s when fans get to know about the importance of those releases from the teams.

Indiana Fever Players Released and Their Impact

Releasing players is often also a very tactical move aimed at improving the overall performance of a team. For example, The Fever’s break up with Candice Dupree allowed the Fever to focus on the development of younger athletes, marking a new chapter in the franchise of the club. Difficult as these are, they are very essential in preserving competitive value that will keep teams relevant in the forward journey.

Also Read: Best 5 Players in WNBA History to Win Rookie of the Year Award

Legacy of the Indiana Fever

The history of the Indiana Fever is filled with accomplishments because it possesses some noteworthy players who have helped form a brand for the team. From Tamika Catchings’ extraordinary legacy up to the introduction of fresh and talented prospects like Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark, Fever has been celebrating its tradition. A memorable instance of such an event is the 2012 championship, which showcased how the team has the grit to stand up against pressure and move to a historical victory.

We, as fans, can stay assured that quality and talent development through the Indiana Fever is on the rise. Even the outburst of stars that the WNBA is witnessing is the outcome of the Fever’s approach to team building. All-in-all the Fever management knows how to get the best of their team by balancing out the young ones and the veteran players.

FAQs