Fever Add Another Center to Roster Amid WNBA Playoff Push

The Indiana Fever are aggressively pushing for a playoff spot in the WNBA, and have bolstered their roster with a two-time champion. On Monday, the team signed 6-foot-6 center Mercedes Russell to a contract extension. Russell initially entered the WNBA in 2018 when the New York Liberty drafted her in the second round. She spent time with the Seattle Storm until 2024, and also played in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL), where she won the championship in 2024 with the Australian Southside Flyers and was named the WNBL Grand Final MVP.

In the WNBA, Russell's time with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2025 was limited, as she played just 20 games, averaging 8.2 minutes per game, 1.7 points, and 1.2 rebounds.

The Fever are currently fourth in the WNBA standings with a 20-12 record. Recent injuries at the center position, including Damiris Dantas' season-ending knee surgery and Michelle Onyiah's recent absence, have highlighted the need for backup centers. Russell, despite not being a double-double machine in her previous season with the Sparks, could make an impact with the Fever, especially in defensive matchups.

Having played in the WNBL championship series, she averaged 14.3 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game during Melbourne's Southside Flyers' run. Russell won two championships with the Seattle Storm, playing a reserve role behind Breanna Stewart. With an average of 95.9 points per game, the Fever are the league's highest-scoring team, but they rank near the bottom in points allowed, giving up 90.4 points per game. Russell's addition could provide an extra defensive threat in the paint for Indiana.