Official WNBA News: More Good News Just In — 28‑Year‑Old Highly Rated WNBA All‑Star Forward Signs With Indiana Fever Over Chicago
In a major move that has captured attention across the WNBA, the Indiana Fever have officially signed 28‑year‑old forward Brianna Turner, electing to bring her aboard in free agency instead of allowing her to return to the Chicago Sky. This news represents yet another statement of intent from a franchise in rapid ascent—one that is skillfully blending youthful star power with battle-tested veterans. Turner’s arrival adds championship-level defense, rebounding, and savvy to a team already buzzing around Caitlin Clark’s meteoric rise.
On February 17, 2025, the Fever announced Turner’s signing with gratitude and optimism. Turner, a Notre Dame alumna and twice selected to the WNBA All‑Defensive Team, brings a career average of 4.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game across six seasons. Indiana’s COO and GM, Amber Cox, praised Turner’s elite rim protection, rebounding, tempo-setting play, and leadership—calling her “another fantastic veteran presence, both on and off the court” .
Turner issued a statement brimming with eagerness: she is “ecstatic to join the Fever organization and compete for a championship,” drawn to the team’s professional environment, clear commitment to women’s basketball, and dynamic roster Her signing was swiftly followed by analysis by SB Nation’s Bennard, noting how Turner’s defensive prowess could prove underrated but essential in Indiana’s quest for postseason success .
Why choose Indiana over Chicago? Turner spent the 2024 season with the Sky, averaging limited offensive output but maintaining her reputation as a dependable interior presence. Indiana, hosting the WNBA All‑Star Game in Indianapolis in July 2025, projects a rising brand built on the momentum ignited by superstar rookie Caitlin Clark. The Fever boast an energized home fan base (averaging over 17,000 per game in 2024—outdrawing NBA counterparts) , plus national visibility and playoff history that Chicago can’t match this offseason. The offer and organizational vision clearly resonated.
Turner joins an increasingly deep and experienced Fever frontcourt. Earlier free-agency acquisitions include:
Natasha Howard, a three-time WNBA champion and 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, returning to Indiana (where she was drafted fifth overall in 2014. Howard brings championship rings and elite defensive skill, averaging 17.6 points and 6.7 rebounds last season with the Dallas Wings (.DeWanna Bonner, a six-time All‑Star, two-time champion, and prolific scorer (just seven points shy of becoming the third-leading scorer in WNBA history), who inked a one-year deal earlier .Sophie Cunningham, a solid “3-and-D” wing acquired via trade, now adding perimeter stability and toughness (lSydney Colson, a seasoned point guard addition.
These moves articulate Indiana’s shift into “win‑now mode.” After a hard slump early in 2024, the Fever surged to a 20‑20 record and snapped a seven‑year playoff drought, largely on the back of rookies Clark and Aliyah Boston . With Clark ranking among league leaders in assists, Boston averaging 22.3 points and nearly 10 rebounds in late 2024, and the organization investing heavily in defense and experience, this is no ordinary rebuild .
Turner’s growth trajectory further enhances Indiana’s top-to-bottom evolution. A standout at Notre Dame and top‑11 draft pick in 2019, she earned All‑Rookie honors after posting solid rookie numbers in Phoenix . But it was her defensive impact—back‐to‐back All‑Defensive First Team nods in 2020 and 2021, leading the league in blocks, and achieving historic stat lines—that earned her reputation . In 2020, Turner became the first WNBA player ever to record 10+ points, 20+ rebounds, 5+ assists and 4+ blocks in the same game (f. Her ability to deter shots (1.2 blocks career average) and cover multiple positions will be critical in accentuating Indiana’s defensive framework.
Indiana head coach Stephanie White—who returned after guiding the Fever to the 2015 Finals—will undoubtedly lean on Turner as a rim protector, rebounder, and mid-minutes anchor. White has emphasized their identity as a defense-first team; Turner’s presence allows her to deploy switching coverages and maintain interior physicality late in games.
The strategic timing is perfect: Indiana hosts the 2025 WNBA All‑Star Game in July at Gainbridge Fieldhouse Captains Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier headline the game, underlining Clark’s explosive popularity. Expect Turner to soak up energy from the event and inject her brand new-to-Indy teammates with championship grit.
The Fever’s frontcourt is now balanced with youth and experience: Aliyah Boston (All-Star big in her prime), Howard, Bonner, Turner, and Cameron Mitchell offer length, scoring, defense, mentorship, and frontcourt versatility. Their depth means Indiana can sustain intensity through 40 minutes, leveraging different combinations—whether resting starters or pressing crunch-time matchups.
Turner’s role is clear: provide second-unit anchor minutes, contest threes coming off screens, protect the rim, crash boards, and mentor younger players off the court. Indiana analysts and fans expect her to maintain her staple 1–2 blocks and 5–6 rebounds per game. Her timing and IQ, according to Cox and coaches, will allow her to contribute immediately without needing volume scoring.
This veteran infusion extends beyond Turner. Bonner averages 15 points and 6 rebounds—enjoyed Finals runs in ’09 and ’14 . Howard is renowned for her all-around impact and defensive accolades . Cunningham adds perimeter spacing and competitive edge . And citywide, Caitlin Clark’s rookie-year MVP-caliber season (22.3 points / 10 assists late-season) made her a household name .
The overall league impact is potent. Indiana’s moves signal they can attract top-tier talent, not just draft around Clark. Turner’s decision to join over possible Chicago offers demonstrates the Fever’s newfound prestige. For players weighing their future, this shift matters—talent follows opportunity, ambition, and chemistry.
As for Indiana’s standing, they now boast four All-Star-level players (Clark, Boston, Mitchell, Howard) plus Turner’s defensive firepower . Some midseason analytics already pegged Indiana as contenders to crack the All-WNBA bracket, but with postseason-caliber veterans now entrenched in their system, expectations are escalating.
Player and fan sentiment reflects optimism. In r/IndianaFeverFans, one user noted:
“They know what it takes to win championships… exactly what we needed in our locker room.”
Another observed Turner’s fit:
“Fever add former All‑Defensive Team forward as franchise builds around Caitlin Clark.”
Coach White’s return is also generating buzz:
“The Year of 2025 could be when the Fever really make a mark as one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.”
The signing also reifies Indiana’s clear blueprint: pair Clark’s transcendent playmaking and offensive magnetism with seasoned, complementary talent around her. Clark—already voted start All-Star captain—arrived with a league-leading assist average and rookie triple-doubles . She now has a systematic cast around her. Turner becomes the latest, significant piece.
On the court, projection for 2025: a deeper rotation across all units, high-level defensive schemes featuring switching bigs and perimeter coverage, and strategic offensive flow. The depth allows momentum preservation: starters can be spelled without collapse; reserves like Turner can sustain defense and effort.
Arguably, Indiana’s title window unlocked last season. Now, with Turner and veteran additions, the Fever are built to exploit it. They have shot continuity, chemistry, depth, star power, defense, crowd engagement, and national attention.
Time will show if these moves translate into conference finals and beyond. But one thing is undeniable: the Fever are no longer flirting with contention—they have made the roster moves that say they’re aiming for a championship.
By trading Chicago offers for Indiana’s vision, Turner signals her belief in the Fever’s direction; the chemistry inside Gainsbridge Fieldhouse, among coaches, veterans, rookies, and fans, has become palpable.
Turner’s Indiana debut represents what the franchise has been building toward: a team where youth, experience, and ambition align in pursuit of WNBA gold. From rookie triumphs to multicultural talent acquisition, Fever Nation is finally wired for a deep postseason run.
And for all involved—from Turner and Clark to Howard, Bonner, and the coaches—it’s more than building a contender: it’s cementing a legacy.
