Last Updated on August 2, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The Indiana Fever 2019 were led by Kelsey Mitchell, whose scoring carried the offense, while Candice Dupree provided efficient interior production and veteran leadership in the frontcourt. Teaira McCowan established herself as the team’s primary rebounder and defensive anchor, and Erica Wheeler directed the offense with her playmaking. The Fever relied on their frontcourt strength and rebounding but lacked consistent offensive balance beyond their leading contributors.
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) | 30.7 | High (1.2) | 11.6 | 5.0 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 52.93 | Veteran interior scorer who remained Indiana’s offensive stabilizer through footwork, patience, and efficient mid-range scoring. Her expanded playmaking showed how the team trusted her as more than a finisher, with her ability to operate from the elbow helping younger perimeter players find easier opportunities. | WNBA All-Star (2019) |
| Kelsey Mitchell | Starter/Star (1.1) | 25.1 | High (1.2) | 13.6 | 1.6 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 47.52 | High-volume perimeter scorer who gave Indiana its most aggressive shot creation on the wing. Analysts noted her quick release and willingness to take difficult defensive attention, while her growth as a secondary ball handler helped balance the offense around veteran pieces. | — |
| Erica Wheeler | Starter/Star (1.1) | 25.0 | Medium (1.1) | 10.1 | 3.0 | 5.0 | 1.3 | 45.74 | Lead guard who controlled tempo and handled the majority of Indiana’s playmaking responsibilities. Her pressure on the ball, transition ability, and improved three-point shooting made her a key connector between the team’s scoring wings and frontcourt players. | WNBA All-Star (2019), WNBA Most Improved Player (2019) |
| Teaira McCowan | Key Contributor (1.05) | 22.1 | Medium (1.1) | 10.0 | 9.0 | 0.2 | 1.9 | 43.29 | Powerful rookie center who immediately changed Indiana’s interior presence with rebounding, post scoring, and rim protection. Coverage around the team highlighted her physical tools and adjustment to the professional game, especially her ability to create second-chance opportunities. | WNBA All-Rookie Team (2019) |
| Tiffany Mitchell | Key Contributor (1.05) | 25.2 | Medium (1.1) | 9.7 | 2.9 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 34.65 | Two-way guard who provided toughness, attacking drives, and defensive versatility in a larger rotation role. Her ability to pressure the ball and absorb difficult perimeter assignments gave Indiana flexibility even when her outside shot was inconsistent. | — |
| Natalie Achonwa | Key Contributor (1.05) | 21.2 | Medium (1.1) | 8.7 | 5.2 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 35.09 | Mobile frontcourt contributor who complemented McCowan with spacing, screening, and smart interior positioning. Reporters frequently pointed to her professionalism and communication as important factors in helping a young frontcourt develop. | — |
| Betnijah Laney-Hamilton | Key Contributor (1.05) | 25.8 | Low (1.0) | 5.6 | 4.2 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 27.30 | Defensive-minded wing who earned trust through versatility and effort rather than offensive volume. Her ability to guard multiple positions and contribute on the glass made her a useful piece in Indiana’s rotation as she developed her offensive consistency. | — |
| Kennedy Burke | Bench (1.0) | 13.6 | Low (1.0) | 4.4 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 15.00 | Young perimeter forward used for energy, shooting, and defensive activity. Her role centered around spacing the floor and competing on the wing while adjusting to the pace and physicality of professional basketball. | — |
| Shenise Johnson | Bench (1.0) | 12.9 | Low (1.0) | 4.9 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 17.80 | Experienced wing providing depth through defensive awareness and secondary ball movement. Limited minutes reduced her offensive impact, but her veteran understanding helped maintain structure in reserve units. | — |
| Stephanie Mavunga | Bench (1.0) | 8.5 | Low (1.0) | 2.5 | 2.3 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 11.20 | Athletic reserve big whose value came from rebounding, length, and defensive activity around the basket. She provided short bursts of energy whenever Indiana needed additional frontcourt mobility. | — |
| Paris Kea | Bench (1.0) | 5.5 | Low (1.0) | 2.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 7.80 | Young guard used in limited opportunities, primarily providing ball-handling depth and perimeter shooting. Her role was developmental as Indiana evaluated her fit within a deeper backcourt rotation. | — |
| Erica McCall | Bench (1.0) | 6.9 | Low (1.0) | 0.9 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 7.20 | Reserve forward who contributed through hustle plays and rebounding effort during short appearances. Her minutes were focused on defensive energy rather than offensive creation. | — |
| Totals | — | 245.4 | — | 84.6 | 41.1 | 18.7 | 12.8 | 346.32 | Indiana’s 2019 rotation blended veteran stability from Candice Dupree and Erica Wheeler with the arrival of Teaira McCowan and continued growth of Kelsey Mitchell. The team’s identity came from interior strength, improving perimeter creation, and a group of versatile defenders. | WNBA All-Star (2019), WNBA Most Improved Player (2019), WNBA All-Rookie Team (2019) |