Despite a limited role, ever-optimistic Lexie Hull enjoys WNBA break in Mexico with Fever teammate Caitlin Clark

Despite a limited role, ever-optimistic Lexie Hull enjoys WNBA break in Mexico with Fever teammate Caitlin Clark

Despite a limited role, ever-optimistic Lexie Hull enjoys WNBA break in Mexico with Fever teammate Caitlin Clark

Texas’s ARLINGTON This WNBA season has

brought back memories for Lexie Hull. Like her

debut season in 2022, she has mostly been an

Indiana Fever reserve. The Central Valley High

School graduate was selected sixth overall by

Stanford in the draft. She made four starts in 26

games during her first campaign. The Spokane

native has played in 20 games so far this season,

with just one start—on July 10 versus

Washington, when she contributed about 20

minutes. The amiable 24-year-old isn’t

grumbling, even though his role has changed

from the previous season when he started 25 of

the 30 games in which she participated.

“Yeah, it’s a long season. The games go up and

down,” Hull said prior to a July 17 game at

Dallas, the Fever’s final contest before the

WNBA’s Olympic break. “We’re playing well or

we’re not playing well, so it’s just figuring out

where you can make an impact and staying

ready as much as I can. I feel like that’s what

I’ve been doing this season and trying to be as

prepared as I can be.” Hull was spot on when she

said that the WNBA season has been nothing

short of a rollercoaster so far. As the W breaks

for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Indiana

began the season with a 1-8 record but has since

improved to 10-7. Many within the organization

believe that this could be the year that Indiana

makes it back to the playoffs for the first time

since 2016, when the Fever fell to the Phoenix

Mercury in the first round. The term that best

describes how this team has developed thus far

is resilience. Christie Sides, the head coach of the

Fever, remarked, “What these guys went through

from 1-8, that start, (facing) the best teams in the

league, early back-to-backs, it was just tough.” It

was difficult for both of them and for us all.

with the expectations, that was even another

gamechanger. Just that they kept showing up.

They kept showing up, trying to get better even

when we couldn’t practice, it was in video. Just

the resiliency that they’ve shown, I’m just so

proud of them for that. I don’t think a lot of

people thought we would be sitting here 11-14 at

this time. We’d won five (games) at this time last

year. Just keep getting better, that’s all we keep

preaching to them.” Sides has particularly valued

Hull’s ability to consistently bring the qualities

she has always been known for—a positive

outlook, a strong work ethic, exceptional hustle,

and a willingness to go above and beyond for her

team to succeed—regardless of the role she has

played thus far this season. “She simply puts

forth consistent effort.” Hull is always just active,

according to Sides. “She has a really nice

basketball attribute. She never seems to stop.

Deflections are going to come her way. She will

experience thefts. She is just consistent in her

role and will draw the best defense. I am aware

that earlier in the season she didn’t have the

playing time she desired, but she just kept

working and kept working. And then when her

number was called, she’s just been really big for

us.” Naturally, the excitement surrounding the

former Iowa standout Caitlin Clark has been

enormous ever since the Fever selected her first

overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft earlier this year.

Her games have been sold out both at home and

away for Indiana, with the most recent sellout

being the game at Dallas on July 17. This season,

the atmosphere around Clark and Fever has at

times been compared to a carnival. Hordes of

fans, both young and old, have been spotted

cheering Fever’s name and lining up for an

autograph or photo whenever she hits the floor.

Clark’s No. 22 jersey is currently the best-selling

item in the W. Hull has a broad perspective and

likes  her teammates and coaches, continues to

just take in the whole vibe and appreciate

everyone’s support. “Everything about it is

incredibly exciting.” Playing in nearly full venues

for every game is an amazing experience,

according to Hull. It’s fantastic for our squad and

the sport. Since our team is still developing, it is

truly unique to be able to do so in such a setting.

In reality, during the previous several months,

she and Clark have developed a strong bond.

The gifted pair will go to Mexico for a few days of

leisure before the Fever start practice in

preparation for their upcoming game against

Phoenix on August 16. She’s a fantastic player as

well as a great person. Hull remarked of Clark,

“It’s fun to get to know her outside of the court,

outside of basketball.” “She is truly arriving

mexico with me.”

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