After prioritizing crucial regular-season games last week, Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell finally let her excitement for the WNBA All-Star Game unfold on her home court.
“I feel grateful,” she said Friday, her enthusiasm palpable. “I feel happy that my family and friends are able to come. It’s close for us because I’m from Cincinnati, so a lot of us get to connect, reconnect through basketball. It’s just fun, it’s a good experience.”
This marks Mitchell’s third consecutive All-Star appearance, but the first in her team’s city. She is joined for the second straight year by teammates Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, the last two WNBA Rookies of the Year.
Indianapolis, the 13th city to host the All-Star weekend, has made a strong impression. Friday night’s festivities alone drew an estimated 15,000 fans, a turnout that did not go unnoticed by the players.
“The last time I did the 3-point shootout in Vegas, it didn’t feel sold out,” said 3-point champion Sabrina Ionescu. “Really happy to be able to be here and put on a good show.”
The event has a distinct homecoming feel, particularly for players with Indiana roots. Skylar Diggins-Smith, a seven-time All-Star and Indiana’s 2009 Miss Basketball, led Notre Dame to three Final Fours, one of which was held in the same arena.
“It’s always love when I come here,” Diggins-Smith said, calling Thursday’s orange carpet presentation the best she has seen. “The fans are amazing. This is a great host city. I get to see a lot of my family and friends.”
The warm reception extended to former Fever guard Erica Wheeler, now with Seattle, who drew a loud ovation during Friday’s skills challenge. While Clark and Boston may have greater national star power, Mitchell is revered locally for her scoring, resilience, and upbeat personality.
Not all hometown All-Star experiences are the same. Four-time All-Star Kelsey Plum, who played in Las Vegas before joining Los Angeles, noted that the large number of visiting fans in Vegas made it feel less “homey.”
The positive atmosphere in Indianapolis has already inspired other players. “The league needs to put its All-Star Game in Atlanta — soon,” said Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray.
For now, Mitchell is focused on savoring the rare opportunity to celebrate the sport with her family, teammates, and competitors in the city she calls her professional home.
“For us as people, it’s an opportunity to connect on different levels, and basketball is a way to do that,” Mitchell reflected. “I think it’s fun for the city, I think it’s fun for our families. It’s just fun for the world.”
Source link
