Last Updated on August 2, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The Indiana Fever 2017 were led by Candice Dupree, whose efficient scoring and steady rebounding anchored the frontcourt, while Erica Wheeler emerged as the team’s primary playmaker and secondary scoring option. Tiffany Mitchell added perimeter offense, and Briann January contributed ball movement and backcourt defense. The Fever relied on veteran leadership and interior efficiency but struggled to generate consistent offense or contain opponents defensively throughout the season.
HeatingUp Impact Index: Team Impact Spotlight
| Player Name | Role Tier | MPG | Usage Tier | PPG | RPG | APG | STK (SPG + BPG) | Impact Index | Notes | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candice Dupree | Starter/Star (1.1) | 31.8 | High (1.2) | 15.0 | 5.8 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 55.57 | Interior scoring anchor who remained Indiana’s most dependable offensive option, using polished footwork, mid-post moves, and efficient finishing to create consistent pressure. Her veteran role expanded beyond scoring as she helped stabilize the frontcourt with steady rebounding and reliable decision-making. | WNBA All-Star (2017) |
| Erica Wheeler | Key Contributor (1.05) | 26.4 | High (1.2) | 11.8 | 2.2 | 4.1 | 1.4 | 50.58 | Dynamic perimeter guard who pushed the pace and gave Indiana another creator with her aggressive drives and transition play. Writers frequently highlighted her energy and confidence as a developing lead guard, while her improved three-point shooting added spacing around the team’s interior scorers. | — |
| Briann January | Starter/Star (1.1) | 26.3 | Medium (1.1) | 9.5 | 1.5 | 3.9 | 1.1 | 36.96 | Defensive-minded point guard who continued to set the tone with pressure defense, ball control, and veteran leadership. Her value came from organizing the offense, fighting through screens, and making difficult perimeter matchups uncomfortable rather than carrying a large scoring load. | — |
| Shenise Johnson | Key Contributor (1.05) | 24.9 | Medium (1.1) | 11.3 | 3.4 | 2.5 | 1.8 | 41.80 | Versatile wing who provided Indiana with secondary playmaking and defensive activity. Her ability to attack closeouts, rebound from the perimeter, and guard multiple positions gave the rotation flexibility, although injuries limited her availability during the season. | — |
| Tiffany Mitchell | Key Contributor (1.05) | 24.9 | Medium (1.1) | 10.3 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 35.64 | Young scoring guard learning to balance aggressive shot creation with efficiency. Reporters noted her ability to draw fouls and attack defenders, while Indiana relied on her athleticism and developing perimeter game as part of its backcourt rotation. | WNBA All-Rookie Team (2016) |
| Erlana Larkins | Key Contributor (1.05) | 18.8 | Low (1.0) | 4.9 | 4.2 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 22.68 | Physical interior role player who brought toughness, rebounding instincts, and screen-setting to Indiana’s frontcourt. Her efficient finishing reflected a player who understood spacing and timing, while her defensive positioning helped cover for more offense-focused teammates. | — |
| Natalie Achonwa | Key Contributor (1.05) | 18.3 | Low (1.0) | 7.1 | 3.7 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 26.04 | Reliable reserve big who earned trust through efficient scoring, smart positioning, and strong fundamentals. Coaches and analysts often pointed to her maturity and ability to make the right reads around the basket as important parts of her developing interior role. | — |
| Jazmon Gwathmey | Bench (1.0) | 17.1 | Low (1.0) | 6.2 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 20.60 | Athletic wing defender used mainly for energy, length, and matchup versatility. Her defensive tools gave Indiana a useful option against bigger perimeter players, while her offensive game remained centered on spot-up opportunities and transition chances. | — |
| Marissa Coleman | Key Contributor (1.05) | 18.7 | Low (1.0) | 4.9 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 17.43 | Veteran wing presence who contributed with spacing, defensive awareness, and lineup balance. Although her scoring role decreased, her experience helped Indiana manage possessions and maintain structure in second-unit minutes. | — |
| Jeanette Pohlen-Mavunga | Bench (1.0) | 12.9 | Low (1.0) | 3.4 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 10.60 | Reserve guard providing steady minutes through ball handling and perimeter shooting. Her role was primarily rotational, with Indiana valuing her ability to keep offensive possessions organized and make simple reads. | — |
| Erica McCall | Bench (1.0) | 10.7 | Low (1.0) | 3.3 | 2.3 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 12.40 | Young frontcourt player used in short stretches to provide athleticism and rebounding. Her energy around the basket stood out more than her offensive responsibility as she adjusted to the professional level. | — |
| Jennifer Hamson | Bench (1.0) | 7.2 | Low (1.0) | 2.2 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 11.00 | Long interior defender whose biggest impact came through size and rim protection. Limited minutes made her offensive role small, but her shot-blocking instincts gave Indiana a different defensive look. | — |
| Jennie Simms | Bench (1.0) | 13.5 | Low (1.0) | 2.8 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 10.20 | Short-term rotation guard who saw limited opportunities. Her minutes were mainly used to provide perimeter depth, with Indiana evaluating her ability to contribute as a scorer and defender in small stretches. | — |
| Nadia Colhado | Bench (1.0) | 2.6 | Low (1.0) | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 2.00 | Emergency frontcourt depth who appeared briefly. Her limited playing time made evaluation difficult, but her size provided additional interior coverage when needed. | — |
| Totals | — | 278.9 | — | 91.1 | 35.0 | 17.9 | 14.3 | 353.46 | Indiana received its strongest overall impact from a veteran core led by Candice Dupree, with Erica Wheeler adding perimeter creation and Briann January maintaining defensive identity. The rotation blended experienced contributors with younger players developing defined roles. | WNBA All-Star (2017), WNBA All-Rookie Team (2016) |