An adopted Hoosier by many, former Notre Dame star Lindsay Allen is officially returning to Indiana.
Last week, in a trade with the Las Vegas Aces, the Indiana Fever acquired Allen and the No. 24 overall selection in the 2021 WNBA Draft, in exchange for the No. 14 pick in the 2021 draft.
For Allen, it was more of wait and see approach when she first heard about the trade speculation surrounding her.
“Well, my first reaction when I heard it was a possibility was kind of a mild shock and surprise,” Allen said with a little laughter. “I think whenever you are involved in trade speculation or rumors it’s kind of like ‘oh okay, we’ll see where this goes.’ Then once I figured out it was happening and started talking to Tamika [Catchings] and Coach [Marianne] Stanley and also talking to D-Rob [Danielle Robinson]. I realized it was a great fit for me, and I was excited about returning to Indiana, where I went to Notre Dame and where I was comfortable with the state, the fans and how big basketball is in the state in general.”
During her time at Notre Dame, Allen started all 149 games for the Fighting Irish, compiling a 139-10 record in South Bend, while setting various career-high averages. When the official news broke about her being traded to Indiana, it wasn’t just Allen, who was excited for her to return.
“When the trade was first announced, I had a bunch of people who I interacted with from Notre Dame messaging and texting me,” Allen replied. “They are very excited that I am back in Indiana, and I’m excited that I’m closer to Notre Dame and that I will be able to take random trips to Notre Dame whenever I like.”
As for what makes the Fever a great fit, Allen says it starts with her comfort level with the state of Indiana.
“It’s just like a comfort level when it comes to Indiana and just kind of that home feeling that I get in Indiana and also in the Midwest as well. So yeah, I’m excited to get back there and get to work.”
It also doesn’t hurt that she will once again be joined in the backcourt by her former Aces teammate Danielle Robinson, who signed a multi-year deal with the Fever this offseason.
“Yeah, me and D-Rob got super close,” Allen stated. “I think D-Rob is the type of person and player where she just welcomes everyone, and everyone is able to be around her and be close to her because she has an infectious energy to her. So as a teammate and point guard with her, we were able to get really close and just kind of root for each other and be there for each other through the ups and downs of the season, the bubble and all sorts of stuff. So, I’m very excited to be reunited with her.
“I think we will be able to provide that 1-2 punch in the backcourt and just kind of play off each other, support each other and be there for whatever the other might need.”
Last year in the WNBA bubble for the Aces, Allen started 21 games and recorded career-high averages in points per game, field goal percentage and free throw percentage.
“I like to play smart and get my teammates involved. I play with a good pace, never too high, never too low and just kind of controlling what’s going on out there on the court. I have good speed; good vision, and I think I can help set up my teammates really well on this team.”