Kelsey Mitchell opened up about her dynamics with Indiana Fever teammate Caitlin Clark on Friday’s “The Bird’s Eye View with Sue Bird” podcast. Mitchell shared how Clark, already an established basketball star despite arriving as a rookie, changed the franchise’s outlook. Despite Clark’s status, Mitchell emphasized that CC never tried to make herself bigger than the team or her teammates.
Mitchell’s take earned reactions from fans:
“So she’s literally the opposite of Angel Reese, who trashed her teammates and then quit?”
@justwsports @BEVpod_ So she’s literally the opposite of Angel Reese who trashed her teammates and then quit?
One fan said:
@justwsports @BEVpod_ wait but i thought caitlin haters said they were POSITIVE kels hated her and wanted to go to another team🤣 always making shit up
Another fan reacted:
@justwsports @BEVpod_ Might be a message to CC fans…who think CC should take over every damn thing…smh.
One more fan continued:
@justwsports @BEVpod_ My duo 🥲🫶
Another fan commented:
They told me Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark hated one another tho … 👀🤔
Kelsey Mitchell arrived in 2018, the No. 2 pick that year after A’ja Wilson went to the Las Vegas Aces. Five years after drafting Mitchell, the Indiana Fever added Aliyah Boston. Despite the talent on the team, which also included NaLyssa Smith, the No. 2 pick in 2022, the Fever never reached the playoffs.
Caitlin Clark changed the trajectory of the team when the Fever unsurprisingly made her the No. 1 pick in 2024. With Clark, Mitchell and Boston forming the core of the team, Indiana made a late surge that year to break its seven-year playoff drought.
According to Kelsey Mitchell, Caitlin Clark was never the diva her critics have accused her of. The lefty guard added that CC was all about uplifting the team and her teammates, a comment that earned praise from Fever fans.
Kelsey Mitchell feels like “kid in candy store” playing with Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston
After last year’s playoff run, Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston saw Caitlin Clark appear in just 13 games for the Fever in 2025. Multiple muscle injuries forced Clark to largely play as a cheerleader.
Mitchell, though, couldn’t be more excited every time she stepped on the court with her fellow All-Stars. When asked by Sue Bird what makes them tick, the lefty guard responded:
“We are aligned on pace, and that is a big part of the game. … Caitlin [Clark] plays in a way that we don’t have time to dwell on [mistakes]. I started to have better shot efficiency because I started not thinking about a miss because of the way Caitlin was playing and the way AB [Boston] want to play.”
Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston are returning for next season. Kelsey Mitchell is an unrestricted free agent, like more than half of the WNBA players. Based on the interview, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Mitchell stays with the Fever to play alongside her friends and teammates.
Why did you not like this content?
Cancel
Submit
Was this article helpful?
Thank You for feedback
About the author
” data-lazy=”https://keedag.sportskeeda.com/user-pic/574869-1717241309-200.jpg?w=200″
alt=”Michael Macasero” height=”72″ width=”72″>
Michael’s background in English and Journalism has provided him with the analytical skills and precision necessary for creating content, and he is a lifelong fan of the Boston Celtics. His favorite players include legends like Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, modern stars like Tim Duncan, and Nikola Jokic, as well as emerging talent like Victor Wembanyama.
Michael respects Gregg Popovich, despite his contentious demeanor in interviews, and recognizes Popovich’s genius in adapting his coaching style to maximize the talent on his roster over the years. Michael eagerly anticipates seeing how Popovich will structure the offense around emerging talent like Victor Wembanyama.
Understanding the story and details is crucial to Michael’s reporting philosophy and he believes overlooking details, particularly when pressed for time, can lead to misunderstandings and inaccurate conclusions.
Aside from work, Michael’s children are his hobbies, and he also likes to go running, swimming and weightlifting.
Quick Links
More from Sportskeeda
Edited by Michael Macasero