INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Fever’s two standout starters in the front line are also the team’s two oldest players: Tamika Catchings, 36, and Erlana Larkins, 29.

Indiana figures both still have numerous strong performances ahead, but that doesn’t mean the Fever won’t capitalize on opportunities to inject an element of youth into the club’s inside positions. And that’s exactly what the team tried to do Thursday night in the WNBA Draft.

The Fever selected 6-foot-3 Chelsea Gardner of Kansas with the club’s only pick at No. 21 overall, which was ninth in the second round. Indiana traded its first- and third-round picks to San Antonio recently to acquire guard Shenise Johnson.

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Gardner is a player who thrived in the Big 12 as a back-to-the-basket type. However, Indiana views her as a prospect who can grow that ability as well as expand her other assets.

“To be able to get somebody with the skill set she has was really an added bonus,” said Stephanie White, the Fever’s first-year head coach. “She has an array of post moves. Her shooting touch is terrific. She can play about 15 to 17 feet out.

“I think she’s a player, because she has a natural shooting stroke, who can eventually get to the 3-point shooting range. She can face up and put the ball on the floor. She not only has the athleticism and speed and quickness you need in this league, she also has the ability to put the ball in the hole a number of ways.”

Gardner twice made the All-Big 12 First Team. She led Kansas as a senior with 16.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. For her career, she totaled 1,516 points, which put her 12th in Jayhawks women’s basketball history.

Gardner’s addition to the Fever roster is timely as the team prepares for the start of training camp on May 17. Catchings, who plans to retire in two seasons, will still be on hand to help the rookie. Also, forward Natalie Achonwa, who sat out last season following knee surgery, will miss some time this summer when she works with the Canadian national team.

Kelly Krauskopf, the Fever’s president and general manager, was happy to see Gardner available in the second round.

“For us, it’s really her skill level around the rim,” said Krauskopf, who spoke with Gardner on the telephone earlier Thursday. “She’s a high-efficiency shooter. She has really good post moves and uses both hands very well. She has a high IQ.

“She really was double-teamed a lot in her career. What stood out to us was, she’s a very fluid post player. (She) knows how to kind of get around people, has some counter moves.”

Gardner viewed the draft from the Kansas campus Thursday night and spoke to reporters via teleconference afterward. The native Texan will remain at school until May, when she’ll graduate with the degree in sociology.

“This has always been my dream,” Gardner said about playing in the WNBA. “When I saw my name on the TV screen, I was very emotional. My teammates were here with me watching the draft, and we were all emotional together.”

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