Indiana Fever guard Erica Wheeler is heading to the Seattle Storm, she revealed on the Straightforward Buckets present on PlayersTV on Wednesday.
On Twitter, Wheeler expressed her pleasure for the transfer: This subsequent chapter shall be a chapter that can WRITE itself! …it’s not about cash or something! Solely work! I simply have to let God do his work through me.”
Wheeler is a scrappy veteran guard who has spent most of her profession in Indiana. The 33-year-old started her profession on the New York Liberty in 2015, and has since loved stops with the Atlanta Dream, Indiana Fever, and Los Angeles Sparks. In her 8-year WNBA profession, she’s averaged 8.8 factors, 2.5 rebounds, and three.7 assists in 23.2 minutes per recreation.
What the Indiana Fever lose in Erica Wheeler
Earlier than this previous season, Wheeler began almost each recreation she performed in since 2016. And, in 2019, she even gained the All-Star recreation MVP.
However, with Fever gamers like Lexie Hull having fun with breakout seasons, and Caitlin Clark enjoying heavy guard minutes, Wheeler was relegated to the bench and performed simply 14 minutes per recreation, her lowest since 2015.
Nonetheless, she was an integral member of the Fever locker room, serving as a veteran presence for Clark, particularly, throughout her rookie season. She developed a fame for her integral position as a member of Clark’s “de-escalation committee” — a gaggle of Fever gamers who labored to reduce the star guard’s technical fouls.
“I believe she’s any person who understands me effectively,” Clark stated, per SB Nation’s Jacob Impolite. “She’s all the time there, whether or not the second’s actually good or the second’s not so nice. She’s there to assist me by it or have a good time it, no matter it’s, good or dangerous.”
In Wheeler’s absence, the Fever signed a number of different veteran gamers who ought to have the ability to fill that management void, together with DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard, and Sydney Colson.
What the Seattle Storm acquire with the free company signing
Now, Wheeler heads to Seattle, the place she has the potential to play a bigger position than she would have in Indiana as a scrappy level guard who can distribute the ball and add some bench depth.
“Erica’s capability to create performs and facilitate factors is a large add for our group,” stated Storm coach Noelle Quinn in an official press launch. “She brings a robust dedication to the sport and is an unimaginable teammate. We’re wanting ahead to Erica becoming a member of us in Seattle.”
Wheeler joins a Storm group headlined by Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Gabby Williams, and Ezi Magbegor. The Storm additionally added middle Li Yueru by way of the Jewell Loyd commerce and former Sixth Participant of the Yr Alysha Clark by way of free company, whereas shedding each ahead Jordan Horston and rookie Rookie Nika Muhl to torn ACLs suffered this offseason.
“Seattle is without doubt one of the most prestigious franchises within the league, and I couldn’t be extra proud to share the court docket with gamers like Nneka, Alysha, Skylar, and Gabby. I can’t wait to get to work,” Wheeler stated in a press launch.
Whether or not or not Seattle chooses to maintain the No. 2 decide within the 2025 draft might assist decide what sorts of alternatives Wheeler sees on the ground. Wheeler’s alternatives could also be extra restricted if the Storm determine to draft some extent guard who performs important minutes alongside Diggins-Smith. Regardless, she’ll convey bench depth and veteran management to a locker room that appears to contend for a championship.
