Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell enjoys first WNBA All-Star selection

Kelsey Mitchell has played six seasons in the WNBA, all with the Indiana Fever. She has become one of the best guards in the league and continues to be a consistent double-digit scoring threat. Last season he averaged a career high 18.4 points per game, just one season after putting up 17.8 and 17.9 points per game, respectively, two years earlier. It still wasn’t enough to get her named to the WNBA All-Star team.

Mitchell is actually down to 16.8 points this season, which strangely led to her first WNBA All-Star selection as a reserve. The League’s 12 Head Coaches Vote On All-Star Reserves And For Whatever Reason, They Felt Like It it was weather He guaranteed selection despite having better overall numbers in the past few years.

Still, Kelsey Mitchell has been around a long time. With the progress she has made in her game and the work she has done, she is very pleased that she has finally earned this top honor.

Mitchell told ClutchPoints, “I am grateful, I am gracious, and more importantly, I would never disrespect the game of basketball.” “To reach here and get to this point in my life, I have had to face a lot, some controllable and some uncontrollable. Sometimes you can’t help the cards you’ve been dealt. I’ve been through a lot of situations professionally and I know what it’s like to sacrifice a lot. Coming to this stage of my life, I am very happy.”

the bar was set high @catchin24 For @Indiana Feverand now @Kelz_Hoop Next is ?

Kelsey Mitchell and Tamika Catchings are Indiana’s top two prolific scorers, having dropped some incredible buckets over the years. pic.twitter.com/VMR8yMOqKH

– WNBA (@WNBA) 23 July 2023

While Kelsey Mitchell recorded career numbers of 18.4 points, 4.2 assists, 43.8 percent shooting from the field and 40.9 percent shooting from the three-point line last season, it clearly wasn’t enough to earn a WNBA All-Star selection. it was hard Michelle will have to overcome it, but this season is almost like a validation for her. This was double recognition at All-Star weekend as he was also selected to participate in the 3Pt-Contest.

In the Fever’s first 21 games this season, Mitchell averaged 16.8 points, 1.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists on 41.5 percent shooting from the field, 36.6 percent shooting from the three-point line and 84 percent shooting from the free-throw line. She is playing a career-high 33.2 minutes per game.

She became one of the most prolific scorers in Fever history as she moved up to second on the franchise points per game list behind only Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings. She is second only to Candice Dupree in terms of field goals. He ranks first in team history in making three-pointers. As good a scorer as she has become, it was something she had to adjust to when she was first drafted by the Fever with no. 2 overall selection in the 2018 WNBA Draft.

“Converting from a true point guard to a two-guard was a big change, and then you learn how to be professional,” Mitchell said. “It takes some time. For me, being at this point now is a combination of all of those, figuring out where my places are on the floor as well as knowing what I want out of my life. I think the biggest change for me was my mindset and knowing that I am here and I am going to do whatever it takes to stay here.

For the Fever, it’s not just about Kelsey Mitchell playing on the court. The team has been in the process of rebuilding for the past few seasons. The Fever have had a lottery selection each season Mitchell is on the team. With each new, young player joining the roster, his role as a leader has grown.

Different players lead in different ways and for Mitchell, she has developed into a player who leads by example.

“It has been more about showing than telling. You don’t want to be one of those leaders who always says, ‘Ah…'” Mitchell said. “As long as I show my teammates how I’ll proceed in certain situations, I think as long as they can follow my lead, know I’m respected and doing it the right way, I think that’s the best way I can lead.”

With the WNBA All-Star break in the rearview, the Fever’s focus turns to trying to move on to the post-season. They are currently 6–16, tied with the Phoenix Mercury for the second worst record in the league. But that record is a bit misleading. The Fever have been involved in several close games this season. 11 of their 16 losses have been decided by eight points or fewer. They have already surpassed last season’s five game win total.

Although it can be discouraging to be involved in so many close games and only to see defeat snatched from the jaws of victory, Mitchell doesn’t see it that way. To him, it’s a testament to how this team is coming together. Despite being young and inexperienced, that type of competitive fire is something Kelsey Mitchell believes the Fever can carry forward as the second half of the season begins.

“Our competitive spirit has been really amazing. There were times when we could have folded but we didn’t,” Mitchell said. “That is the best thing about our group because even though we are young, the competitive spirit is there no matter the age and when you speak from the heart. We have the heart, we set it up, we know the standard to be there. To compete with the rest of the people in this room, you have to keep making sacrifices and I think we have a team that will continue to do that.

As it stands, the Fever are three games behind the Chicago Sky for the eighth and final playoff spot. They are 1-9 in their last 10 games and are on a four-game road trip that ends this week with two games against the Los Angeles Sparks. They split the first two games of the trip, defeating the Washington Mystics and losing to the New York Liberty. These upcoming games against the Sparks will go a long way in seeing whether or not the Fever is ready to compete for a playoff spot.

For Kelsey Mitchell, making the playoffs should be the Fever’s main goal. With the WNBA All-Star break in the rearview, it’s time to gear up and focus.

Mitchell said, “Focus on what the team needs, what the team wants and then for me personally, as long as my confidence is up and I’m mentally aware of how the game is going to be played, I’ve got a good chance to step up in my role as a leader for my team.” “We’ve got a good chance to make the playoffs and get back in the conversation, so it’s just about focusing on the basketball part.”