Selected with the 26^th overall pick in the third round by the Indiana Fever, Chelsey Perry made both program and Ohio Valley Conference history by being the first UT-Martin player ever taken in the 2021 WNBA Draft.

On Sunday, in her first professional game, Perry shined bright as she scored 16 points off the bench in the Indiana Fever’s 82-65 win over the Chicago Sky. Perry was one of five Fever players to surpass the double-digit mark and was sharp from the field, making three of her four long-range shots, while shooting 60% from the field.

According to head coach Marianne Stanley, Perry’s performance is just a dose of what she and the rest of the team have seen from Perry thus far in training camp.

“Chelsey has been a joy,” Coach Stanley said with a smile. “You know in practice she’s kind of unflappable. She’s just lighthearted and how you saw her play is how she’s been practicing. Our players were all smiling and happy because that’s the Chelsey they’ve seen each and every day. So, good for her to step up and have such a good game.”

That positive sentiment and feedback was shared by Tiffany Mitchell and Victoria Vivians, who finished the team’s first preseason action of the season with 16 points and 14 points, respectively.

“Chelsey’s great,” Mitchell replied. “She was shooting that thing and we told her like, if she’s open, shoot the ball. So, I’m just glad that she has the confidence already as a rookie. I know it’s hard coming in as a rookie and [trying] to figure out where your place is, but I think she’s a great learner. She a great teammate already, so I’m just proud of her and her insight to see her growth.”

“I want her on my team. That’s all have to say. I want her on my team,” Vivians added, with a big smile on her face.

As for Perry, she was all smiles as well as she described her emotions at tipoff.

“[At] tipoff my heart started beating fast,” Perry replied with a slight laugh. “But, once I got in the game… and my first shot went in, I was just comfortable, relaxed, and I had great teammates pushing me.”

One of those teammates that helped her was veteran forward Jantel Lavender, who the Fever re-signed this offseason.

“Jantel talked to me before the game and was like ‘just play your game and don’t be nervous.’ She kind of settled me down and everything just came naturally [after that].”

“Every day I learn something new,” Perry continued. “And just being in practice has pushed me and prepared me for the games, but I know I still have ways to go.”