Whether it’s her jersey toss at a Pacers game, a smooth golf swing at the RSM Classic pro-am, or even a mere courtside appearance for her alma-mater, you know when there’s a Caitlin Clark sighting, she is leading the headlines. But down at Indianapolis, where the Fever meets its local fandom, that doesn’t always run. One of your stars is having a massive moment? No one’s letting her thunder be stolen. Not even the 2024 Time’s Athlete of the Year.

It all started with the Indiana Fever’s preparations for the training camp. Set to kick off on April 27th, looked like the roster stole a moment to gel together. We already knew the chemistry was reaching heights when Aliyah Boston excitedly spoke about getting to be on the court together soon. With the camp, the fans expected to get a better look into it. But the treat came a little early. This one, in the form of a social media trend.

The Fever’s social media team introduced the “nonchalant elevator challenge,” a quirky little game where players casually entered an elevator while being filmed. Leading the charge? Lexie Hull. The Fever stars giggled and goofed around, but the Stanford alumna easily stole the spotlight– effortlessly holding the door open with her left hand, subtly flaunting her engagement ring. The camera zoomed in, capturing the sparkle, and just like that, the internet went wild. 

As the rest of the team gave it their best shot to look casual—Breanna Turner sliding in just before the doors closed with arms crossed, Julliene Ayyene euro-stepping and dancing her way into the elevator, and Aliyah Boston walking in like the elevator doors couldn’t help but open for her—none could quite replicate the charm that Hull exuded.

Because WWE’s Seth Rollins may have praised Clark as “Jordan-esque” and every camera at the Chiefs game may have panned towards her, but when it comes to love, you know what’s grabbing attention. The 2024 ROTY wouldn’t stop that either. 

It was just four days ago that Hull made it Instagram official when she made a post saying, “engaged to my best friend 💛 cheers to forever!” Will Matthiessen and Lexie Hull were finally hearing wedding bells. Caitlin Clark couldn’t have been more overjoyed.

“YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYY SO HAPPY,” she commented with a row of heart emojis. A couple of days later, she and Boston also surprised the newly engaged with a ‘bride’ tiara and some balloons. It was Hull’s week or even month, and fans’ reactions made sure that remained intact.

With her engagement ring catching the light perfectly, the spotlight was all on the forward.

Fans Go Wild as Lexie Hull Steals the Spotlight, Leaving Clark and the Fever in the Shade!

As the video gained traction, fans quickly pointed out the move that stole the show. One wrote, “Lexie starting it off with the ring hand rock haha we all know who can’t be casual hahaha.” Well, deservedly so—after all, Lexie had just bought a home in Indianapolis with her college sweetheart and now, she had a ring to flaunt.

In fact, one fan summed it up best: “The close-up on the ring.” It wasn’t just Hull’s casual entrance that had fans buzzing; it was the way the camera zoomed in, almost like it had a mind of its own. That subtle but pointed shot revealed the sparkle of Hull’s newly acquired engagement ring. Lexie first announced the news with a soft-lit Instagram story, showing off the ring with effortless charm.

Another fan added, “When a girl gets engaged, somehow the ring just makes its way into every frame—very nonchalant, Lex, well done.” And the fan is right, it seems Lexie isn’t the only one who understands the art of the casual flex.

It’s a move not unfamiliar to sportswomen, who have often allowed their newly adorned hands to steal the spotlight in the most subtle and chic of ways. Serena Williams, for instance, casually showed off her engagement ring from Alexis Ohanian on Snapchat during what appeared to be a regular morning routine. Sue Bird, too, caused a stir when her engagement ring from Megan Rapinoe “just happened” to make its way into the frame during a training session. And Candace Parker, another WNBA legend, wore hers during gameplay before making her marriage public.

Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark, never one to miss a chance to showcase her signature goofy energy, fully embraced the challenge. One fan nailed it with, “Caitlin is so goofy.” And true to form, she stuck her leg into the elevator just before the doors closed, sliding in with the panache of someone performing an Irish jig. It was quirky, it was fun, and it was totally Caitlin.

Another fan couldn’t help but comment on the variety of approaches from the team: “1. Lexie intro the ring mentality 2. Bri w the casual which floor 3. Errrbody w their own flava.” And they were right—each of the girls brought their own flavor to the challenge, showing sides of themselves rarely visible to the public.

With the preseason kicking off on May 3 against the Washington Mystics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the excitement is building. And then there’s Sophie Cunningham, ready to step into her role as the Sabrina Carpenter to Caitlin Clark’s Taylor Swift—an exciting pairing that promises to light up the court. The Fever’s chemistry is undeniable, and if they bring that same energy into the regular season, the league should be on notice.