— Indiana Stockpiles No. 2, No. 8, and No. 14 Selections in Upcoming Draft
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Fever have acquired another first-round draft pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft, securing the No. 8 selection from Phoenix, in exchange for longtime point guard Briann January.
The only WNBA team ever to go more than a decade without a top-four draft pick, the Fever own the league’s No. 2 draft choice next April. After lasting 13 seasons – since 2005 – between top-four picks, Indiana now possesses two of the top eight picks for the first time in its history. The 2018 draft marks just the third time the Fever have owned a pair of first-round selections (2001, 2014, 2018).
January has been a valuable 5-8 guard who helped the Fever to three WNBA Finals appearances over nine seasons. The Fever career leader with 3.6 assists per game, she ranks second in club history in games played (250), assists (909) and free throws (560); and third in points (2,244), 3-point field goals (242) and steals (285).
A native of Spokane, Wash., and a graduate of Arizona State University, the 31-year old January returns to her college hometown where she currently serves as an assistant coach at ASU. She is a six-time member of the WNBA All-Defensive Team and made her lone All-Star appearance in 2014 in Phoenix. January averaged 9.5 points and 3.9 assists per game as part of 25 appearances last year – a season cut short by torn meniscus in her right knee.
“Bri has been a key component in the success of the franchise, including helping Indiana to a 2012 championship,” said Fever Head Coach and General Manager Pokey Chatman. “As much as we value her skills and veteran experience, this move gives us a tremendous opportunity to improve our franchise for years to come.”
In addition to stockpiling three of the top 14 picks in the upcoming draft, the Fever offseason also has cultivated 27-year old, 6-4 center Kayla Alexander as part of a February trade with Las Vegas.