Caitlin Clark mania is already taking over the WNBA.
The Fever are scheduled to play 36 of their 40 games on national TV despite a rough 2023 season, and interest in the league is already surging as the former Iowa phenom prepares to make her WNBA debut.
The question might not be how good Clark can be right away, but rather, will be good enough to lead the Fever to a winning season. Indiana finished over .500 since 2015, and the Fever are just 24-84 over the past three years.
Stuffing the stat sheet might keep Clark in the national spotlight, but winning games with Clark could quickly make the Fever a name brand on a nationwide level. Fortunately, the 22-year-old will have some help from a rising roster.
Here's a look at the Fever's 2024 roster and projected starters in Clark's debut season.
MORE: Complete Indiana Fever schedule for 2024
Indiana Fever roster 2024
The Fever's roster currently stands at 13 players.
| No. | Player | Age | Position | Height | School/Country |
| 34 | Grace Berger | 24 | G | 6-0 | Indiana |
| 7 | Aliyah Boston | 22 | F/C | 6-5 | South Carolina |
| 22 | Caitlin Clark | 22 | G | 6-0 | Iowa |
| 12 | Damiris Dantas | 31 | F | 6-3 | Brazil |
| 14 | Temi Fagbenie | 31 | C | 6-4 | USC |
| 10 | Lexie Hull | 24 | G | 6-1 | Stanford |
| 0 | Kelsey Mitchell | 28 | G | 5-8 | Ohio State |
| 33 | Katie Lou Samuelson | 26 | F | 6-3 | UConn |
| 5 | Victaria Saxton | 24 | F | 6-2 | South Carolina |
| 1 | NaLyssa Smith | 23 | F | 6-4 | Baylor |
| 35 | Celeste Taylor | 22 | G | 5-11 | Ohio State |
| 3 | Kristy Wallace | 28 | G | 5-11 | Baylor |
| 17 | Erica Wheeler | 32 | G | 5-7 | Rutgers |
Will Caitlin Clark start for the Fever?
Clark is fully expected to start for the Fever in her rookie season. She started each of Indiana's two preseason games, with Erica Wheeler heading to the bench after spending much of 2023 in the starting lineup.
The Fever can afford to let Clark take her time in transitioning to the WNBA, and she figures to see plenty of minutes and shot opportunities regardless of how quickly or slowly she adapts to the next level. Indiana isn't necessarily demanding playoff contention after a 13-27 season, but that would be a nice bonus if the transition proves to be simple for the former Iowa standout.
MORE: Why reporter was banned from covering Fever games after interaction with Caitlin Clark
Indiana Fever projected starters
Here is the projected starting five for the Fever, with each player's 2023 WNBA stats:
- G Caitlin Clark (rookie)
- G Kelsey Mitchell (18.2 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 3.1 apg)
- F Katie Lou Samuelson (9.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.9 apg)
- F NaLyssa Smith (15.5 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 1.4 apg)
- F/C Aliyah Boston (14.5 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 2.2 apg)
The addition of former No. 4 overall pick Katie Lou Samuelson, who is now playing for her fifth team in five WNBA seasons, effectively locked in the Fever's starting five once Clark was drafted.
Kelsey Mitchell was a lock to start after her first All-Star season, and the same was true for Aliyah Boston and NaLyssa Smith after strong starts to their careers. Boston was the WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2023, while Smith was the No. 2 pick in 2022 and took a step forward last season by averaging 15.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.
Guard Erica Wheeler started last season, but she's expected to head back to the bench with Clark joining Mitchell in the backcourt. Wheeler will serve as a role player for the Fever, as will Lexie Hull after she started 25 games last season but averaged just 4.6 points per game.
Samuelson averaged 9.7 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in her second season as a near full-time starter last season, starting 29 of her 32 games with the Sparks. She started Indiana's preseason finale and is expected to assume a starting role in the frontcourt for the Fever this season.
The Fever are deeper than they were last season thanks to the additions of Clark and Samuelson. Boston, Smith, and Mitchell set a solid foundation with an eight-win improvement last season, and Indiana's hope is that Clark and Samuelson can help balance out the starting lineup while allowing players better suited for reserve roles to impact the game off the bench.
