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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