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By Jordan Morey | FeverBasketball.com

On top of picking Aliyah Boston from the University of South Carolina with the first overall pick, the Indiana Fever made four additional selections in the 2023 WNBA Draft.

The Fever secured a treasure trove of talent on Monday, including two All-Big Ten stars, a 2023 national champion and a former national champion teammate of Boston’s.

By the end of draft night, Fever General Manager Lin Dunn couldn’t help but share her excitement for the “infusion of young talent.”

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“I truly believe, sincerely believe, that we got better tonight with the talent that we have,” Dunn said. “Training camp should be competitive. In the reload mode that we’re in, I want fighting for positions. I want them to come back hungry and starving for that position.

Dunn concluded, “We brought in people that know how to win championships.”

No. 7 Grace Berger, guard, Indiana University

Sprinkled throughout Gainbridge Fieldhouse, you could find Crimson and Cream jerseys in the stands with the No. 34 printed on the front and back.

So when Indiana University guard Grace Berger was chosen by the Fever with the No. 7 overall pick, it was no surprise the draft night party at the Fieldhouse exploded in excitement.

Berger, 23, is the first IU women’s basketball player to be drafted in the first round and fifth ever. She is a four-time All-Big Ten First Team member, started in 118 games for IU and finished second in assists (573), fourth in points (1,841), fifth in rebounds (752) and seventh in steals (170) in Hoosiers history.

one of the best to wear the Hoosier uniform is staying in Indiana.

welcome to the Fever, Grace Berger!#sponsored | @AnthemBCBS pic.twitter.com/TvdE8D0w5i

— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) April 10, 2023

In her final season with the Hoosiers, the undisputed leader of the program averaged 12.9 points, 5.8 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game in helping the program reach its first-ever No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. Also this past season, she earned an honorable mention All-American nod.

For Berger, getting drafted by the Fever was a childhood dream coming to life.

“My dad would take me to probably four or five games every summer of the Fever,” Berger said. “So I think just to be able to see those strong women like I mentioned – Tamika Catchings, Katie Douglas, Briann January – see them and see how hard they competed, how tough they were, how much passion they had for the game, I think I really modeled myself off of them. It was just huge and very instrumental in the development of my own game.””

The Louisville, Kentucky, native is the winningest player in Hoosiers history with 117 wins over her five seasons.

“Obviously playing in Indiana for the past five years, the community is so special for me,” Berger said. “The community is so excited about women’s basketball. I was really sad to leave Indiana, but now obviously I’m staying here. So I’m super grateful for that.”

the emotions for Grace Berger getting drafted to the Indiana Fever are real. 🥹

Hoosier Nation showed out at our #FeverDraft Party.#sponsored | @AnthemBCBS pic.twitter.com/UBe1mZMNZJ

— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) April 11, 2023

During his time at IU, Berger became a fan favorite for ability to elevate her play in big games, working as the engine of the offense, and versatility at playing at the one, two or three and shooting at a high efficiency from midrange. Berger shot 48.4 percent last season and 40.7 percent from 3-point.

“Grace Berger (is a) competitor,” Fever head coach Christie Sides sides. “(She) loves the game and is going to get out and do whatever is needed for her team. I had the opportunity to go watch her play a lot being close to Indiana and just every night she’s gonna give you everything she has. Those are the kind of people we want in this locker room and on the court.

Dunn said the Fever selected Berger because of her ability to play multiple positions and her character off the court. The fact she comes from just down the road is just a plus, she said.

No. 13 Taylor Mikesell, guard, Ohio State University

The Fever stayed in the Big Ten Conference for their third pick of the draft, selecting Ohio State sharpshooter Taylor Mikesell at 13th.

Despite playing just two seasons for the Buckeyes, she ranks fourth all-time in made 3-pointers with 230 – including 116 threes this past season – while shooting 44.2 percent from deep.

“That’s something that I’ve always liked to pride myself on, my shooting ability and scoring ability. I’m just excited to get to Indiana and do that, just be me,” Mikesell said.

the Buckeye is coming to Indy.

welcome to the Fever, Taylor Mikesell!#sponsored | @AnthemBCBS pic.twitter.com/im6lImLrlJ

— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) April 11, 2023

Mikesell, 5-11, is the first Buckeye to be selected in the draft since 2018 and led OSU in scoring at 17.2 points per game.

This past season, Mikesell helped lead the Buckeyes to their first Elite Eight appearance since 1993.

For Dunn, having both Mikesell and Berger feels like a steal.

“I know it looked like we got a little greedy taking both Berger and Mikesell, two top guards from the Big Ten, but they can both score,” Dunn said. “They also can make other people better on the court. You’ve got to come out and guard Mikesell and come out and guard Berger.”

No. 17 LaDazhia Williams, forward, LSU

The Fever selected another NCAA champion with their fourth pick, taking LSU forward LaDazhia Williams at No. 17.

As a graduate student, Williams played in 34 games and averaged 9.9 points on 55.4 percent shooting, 6.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game at LSU during the 2022-2023 season.

On April 2, Williams scored 20 points and pulled down five rebounds while recording a game-high 37 minutes in a 102-85 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes in the championship game. She also had a memorable 24-point performance in the Sweet Sixteen to help the Tigers past Utah.

Williams, 6-foot-4, is also a former teammate of current Fever guard Destanni Henderson and fellow 2023 draft pick Victaria Saxton, as she played at South Carolina during the 2017-18 and 2018-2019 seasons. Williams then played at Missouri before transferring to LSU.

No. 25 Victaria Saxton, Forward, South Carolina

With the team’s final pick, the Fever chose another national champion Gamecock.

At No. 25, the Fever selected South Carolina’s Victaria Saxton – the fifth player in the draft to get picked from South Carolina.

This past season, Saxton started all 37 games for the 36-1 Gamecocks Final Four squad. She averaged 4.9 points on 45.6 percent shooting and 3.1 rebounds. She also started all 37 games during the 2021-2022 season when the Gamecocks won a national championship.

Saxton, a 6-foot-2, forward was a four-year captain and graduated with the career record for most games played at 166. She is a former teammate of Boston, Henderson and Williams.

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