Texas’s ARLINGTON This WNBA season has brought back memories for Lexie Hull.
Like in 2022, when she was a rookie and the sixth pick from Stanford in the draft, the Central Valley High School graduate has primarily been an Indiana Fever reserve. She made four starts in 26 games during her first campaign.
The Spokane native has played in 20 games so far this season, with just one start—on July 10 versus Washington, when she contributed about 20 minutes. The amiable 24-year-old is not complaining, even though her role has changed from the previous season, when she started 25 of the 30 games in which she participated.
Indeed, the season is lengthy. The games are up and down,” Hull remarked before the Fever’s last game before the WNBA’s Olympic break on July 17 at Dallas. We are either performing well or poorly, therefore my job is to find areas where I can contribute and do my best to be prepared. That seems to be what I have been attempting to accomplish this season—be as prepared as possible.”
Hull was spot on when she said that the WNBA season is like riding a roller coaster. Indiana is now 10-7 after starting 1-8. Many inside the organization believe that this could be the year Indiana makes it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016, when the team lost to the Phoenix Mercury in the first round. The Fever’s 11-15 record comes as the WNBA takes a break for the Summer Olympics in Paris.
The term that best describes how the team has changed over time is resilience. Christie Sides, the head coach of the Fever, remarked, “What these players went through from 1-8, that start, (against) the greatest teams in the league, early back-to-backs, it was simply brutal.”
“The expectations were difficult for them and for all of us; that changed the game even more. Only that they continued to appear. They were on camera, and even though we could not practice, they continued to show up and try to improve. I am really proud of them for the resilience they have displayed.
Few people, I believe, anticipated that we would be seated here between 11 and 14 at this time. By now last year, we had won five (games). We constantly telling them to “just keep getting better.”
Whatever position Hull has had, she has consistently brought the same qualities to the table for which she has always been known: a positive outlook, a strong work ethic, exceptional hustle, and a willingness to do whatever it takes for her team to succeed. This is something that Sides has particularly valued.
“She simply puts out consistent effort.” Hull is always just active, according to Sides. “She has a really nice basketball attribute. She never seems to stop. Deflections are going to come her way. She will experience thefts. She is just consistent in her role and will draw the best defense. Although she did not receive the playing time she desired early in the season, she persisted in her efforts. She is really been so much for us when her number was called.
Caitlin Clark, a former Iowa standout, has been the subject of intense buzz since the Fever selected her first overall in the WNBA draft earlier this year. As a result, sellout audiences have attended most of the Fever’s away games, with the most recent one being in Dallas.
Some have compared the atmosphere around Clark and the Fever this season to that of a carnival, with throngs of fans, both young and old, cheering Clark’s name and lining up for an autograph or photo whenever she steps on the court. Clark’s No. 22 jersey is the best-selling one in the WNBA.
Seeing the wider picture, Hull keeps absorbing the atmosphere and is grateful for everyone’s help.
“Everything about it is quite intriguing.” Playing in nearly full venues for every game is an amazing experience, according to Hull. It is fantastic for our squad and the sport. Since our team is still developing, it is truly unique to be able to do so in such a setting.
Over the previous several months, Hull and Clark have developed a strong bond. The gifted pair will go to Mexico for a few days of leisure and rest before the Fever start practice in front of their upcoming game against Phoenix on August 16.
She is a fantastic player as well as a lovely person. Hull remarked of Clark, “It is fun to get to know her outside of the court, outside of basketball.” In actuality, she is traveling to Mexico with me. We will have a great vacation together.
With 11 of her 12 players still in town for the Olympic break, Sides is thrilled. Kristy Wallace, who will represent Australia in the Games, is the only exception.
Sides stated, “The time that we are going to get to spend will help chemistry-wise.” They will be able to train and spend time together, away from the road, during this period. They will thus have some time.
We will be able to do some things differently as well. We will have time to introduce fresh ideas. We see what we have out there and what we can do, so it is exciting that we will have time to add and adjust things.
Hull will watch as much Olympic basketball as she can and support Team USA in the 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 competitions when she is not practicing. Hull understands that she came very close to making the 3-on-3 squad and representing her nation in Paris.
Indeed, Hull remarked, “I was pretty close, and they had nothing but positive things to say.” “That is definitely in my future, so I just need to keep working and keeping my head up because I am right there.”
Hull has been loving Golden Double Stuf Oreos for a while, so she will also have a chance to indulge a little during the break, which she refers to as her guilty pleasure.
I consume them, she declared. They remain very much in evidence. Yes, without a doubt—they are my guilty pleasure. I have always enjoyed them. I prefer those, they are my favorite.”
Although she still resides in Austin, Texas, her twin sister Lacie, who was her teammate at Stanford and Central Valley, occasionally travels to Indianapolis.
She arrived in Indianapolis during the start of the season. However, I will see her at home, and she is returning to Indianapolis,” Hull remarked. “She is present.”
Stephen Hunt is a Frisco, Texas-based independent writer.
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