The last time the Indiana Fever hit the floor, their season ended in heartbreak, falling to the Connecticut Sun in the first round of the WNBA playoffs, 87-81. Caitlin Clark, the 2024 Rookie of the Year, struggled under the defensive length of DeWanna Bonner, a savvy move from Sun head coach Stephanie White that helped seal the series. Now? Bonner and White are in Indiana, teaming up with Clark. And suddenly, the Fever looks like a team transformed. The trio took the court together for the first time on Sunday as training camp tipped off, giving Fever fans their first look at what could be the team’s most competitive group in over a decade. But it’s not just about the big names.

According to WNBA analyst Rachael DeAmita, the tone-setter so far has been Natasha Howard. “Natasha Howard with the hustle play,” DeAmita said on her YouTube channel. “She’s everywhere on the court. She is going to hustle.” Howard, who officially signed with the Fever this offseason, is a three-time WNBA champion and former Defensive Player of the Year.

At 6-foot-2, she brings versatility, rim-running, and veteran presence, something this young core needs. Originally drafted by the Fever back in 2014, Howard returns with a résumé that includes 11.5 career points, 5.6 rebounds, whereas her recent figures go as high as 17.6 points, a reflection of her reputation for relentless energy.

But now the expectations have grown. She’s supposed to anchor Indiana’s defense while mentoring Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell. But she won’t be doing it alone. Accompanying her is the Six-time All-Star and two-time champion who brought championship DNA and leadership to the Fever team.

It’s DeWanna Bonner, now 37, who hasn’t lost a step. Even during early practices, Bonner’s impact is obvious. “She just knows where to be,” DeAmita said. “You can see her almost being a floor general without the ball—pointing, finding open players. It really impressed me.”

While all this is amazing, White knew it before. Just look at her 2024 season with Connecticut, where she had 15.0 points, 6.0 boards, and 2.0 assists per game. And all that made her the most clutch player on the floor. Even Clark agrees. “DB’s been tremendous,” Clark said. “Not only as a leader, but she’s a tremendous basketball player. She’s won championships. She knows what it takes. When she speaks, everyone listens.”

The pieces are starting to fall into place in Indiana. With White at the helm, Howard controlling the paint, and Bonner guiding the team like a second coach, the Fever suddenly looks like more than a rebuild; they look like a threat.

But there’s still one big question: who fills the final roster spot?

Fever’s final roster battle heats up in camp among five!

Caitlin Clark’s team is charging into the 2025 season with playoff buzz, a loaded core, and big expectations. But there’s still one piece missing. Thanks to salary cap constraints, only 11 roster spots are available for opening day. While ten among them are already locked in, this leaves five players fighting for the last golden ticket.

And with the opening of training camp, the stage is already set for high-stakes competition. While WNBA teams can carry 12 players, the Fever have already committed $1.39 million in salary, leaving just over $112,000 in cap space. That’s barely enough to add a league-minimum contract, but someone’s about to earn it.

According to the analysis, there are five hopefully trying to grab the final spot. At first, it’s Jaylen Brown, who arrived in Indiana via a four-team trade that also brought Sophie Cunningham to town. Her 2024 season in Dallas was interrupted by injuries, including a broken nose, but she still managed to appear in 14 games. The 26-year-old guard brings toughness, experience, and is fighting for her place in the league, at a cap-friendly $66 K.

Making the competition tougher is Alleyne. She has been a force overseas, averaging nearly 19 points and 14 rebounds in Turkey this past season. She was drafted by Phoenix back in 2016 and saw a brief time with Minnesota, but now, at 30, she’s pushing for one last WNBA run.

Then, there’s Indiana’s top pick in the 2025 draft (No. 19 overall). Timpson made noise at Florida State, even breaking some of Natasha Howard’s school records. Her 1,094 rebounds and 46 career double-doubles speak for themselves. She’s young, physical, and has a connection to Howard, something that might matter more than people think.

But the competition is not ended yet. Another player on the list is Bree Hall. She played two seasons with Aliyah Boston at South Carolina, went to four straight Final Fours, and won it all in 2021.

Drafted No. 20 overall, she enters a crowded backcourt, but her defense could be the separator. And the last on the list is the 33rd pick in this year’s draft. Yvone Ejim was a two-time WCC Player of the Year at Gonzaga. She left as the conference’s second all-time leading scorer and averaged nearly 15 points and 7 boards in her senior year. Her offensive versatility makes her a sleeper candidate, even as a third-rounder.

By now, you might be getting it that the decision won’t be easy, as each player brings something different to the table. But the call will likely come before Indiana opens its preseason schedule on May 3 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse against the Washington Mystics. Who’s your pick to snag that last spot?