“I can’t believe you let Temi slip through your fingers!”
This is the outcry echoing through Indiana Fever fans following the WNBA Expansion Draft. The Golden State Valkyries made their debut picks, seizing the opportunity to draft none other than Temi Fagbenle, a formidable force on defense, from the Fever. While the fans vent their frustration towards management, superstar Caitlin Clark has remained surprisingly silent.
Clark took to Instagram to celebrate her close friend, Kate Martin, who also found herself among the Valkyries’ selections. Re-sharing the Valkyries’ announcement about Martin, she enthused, “Let’s go Kater!!!!” However, she did not extend the same support to Fagbenle. The bond between Clark and Martin dates back to their days at Iowa, showcasing a friendship that remains unbreakable, even as they now compete as rivals.
The anger among Fever fans is palpable, particularly towards the decision to leave their center unprotected. Fagbenle, a reliable defender and scorer, averaged 6.4 points and 4.7 rebounds while boasting an impressive shooting percentage of 50.9% last season. At 32, she has amassed a career total of 237 rebounds and 34 blocks.
Significantly, Fagbenle is the sole Fever player to sport a WNBA championship ring, courtesy of her victory with the Minnesota Lynx in 2017. The shock isn’t just limited to fans; WNBA Hall of Famer Rebecca Lobo remarked, “What surprises me most is that Temi Fagbenle was selected—not due to a lack of fit with Golden State, but because Indiana failed to protect her.”
Despite playing only 22 games last season due to injuries, Fagbenle’s leadership was unparalleled, even starting in the crucial playoff game the Fever needed to win. It seems Indiana may have prioritized Damiris Dantas’ shooting prowess over Fagbenle’s solid all-around game.
Fans are in an uproar over the Valkyries’ acquisition of their star player, with one fan expressing disbelief: “I need clarity on who was protected. Caitlin, Kelsey, Aliyah, and Lexie are obvious choices, but there’s no way we have two players more valuable than Temi. Our bench produces nothing! Why would we risk losing her? 😭💔 My heart is broken.”
Fever reportedly chose to protect NaLyssa Smith, a key player during their postseason runs despite the backlash from fans, and perhaps Damiris Dantas, regarded for her three-point shooting abilities. However, the consensus among fans is that Temi deserved protection.
Another fan lamented, “I can’t believe you didn’t protect Temi. She was among our best players suited for the Fever’s evolving style of play 😔.” It’s undeniable that her full-court explosiveness and teamwork with Caitlin Clark, particularly on those pinpoint full-court passes, made her an essential asset. In the words of another dedicated fan, “But the connection between Temi and CC 😢.” The outcry goes beyond Indiana; Golden State fans are also questioning the decision-making, as one stated, “We’ll treat her like royalty here in GS. But what on earth were y’all thinking?”
Frustration about her exit has turned social media into a blame game, particularly aimed at the Fever’s new GM, Amber Cox. “SO WE GAVE UP THE BEST PLAYER IN THE ENTIRE DRAFT??????? WHAT IS WRONG WITH Y’ALL??????? TEMI WAS THE ONLY POWER FORWARD ON THE TEAM CAPABLE OF PLAYING DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!! THE NEW GM IS OFF TO A DISASTROUS START!!”
Yet, amid the chaos, there’s a flicker of hope among some fans that this could be part of a grander strategy. There’s speculation that the Fever deliberately left Fagbenle unprotected to facilitate a trade for Kate Martin, who has also been picked by the Valkyries, or possibly Satou Sabally, who is about to enter free agency. Fever fans are crossing their fingers for a savvy move ahead.
