Kelsey Mitchell surprises with a heartfelt message to the Indiana Fever free agent

Kelsey Mitchell, star of the Indiana Fever, dedicated a heartfelt message to her teammate Damiris Dantas, the recent free agent who earned $197,100 in her last contract with the team.

The gesture took place on Monday, November 17, to celebrate the Brazilian player’s 33rd birthday, highlighting the deep bond between the two after two seasons together in Indiana.

Mitchell wrote: “To my Brazilian sister, thank you for being the selfless person and teammate that you were! A true professional on and off the court! Nothing important would have happened without you! Love you, girl. Happy birthday.”

The post included a collage of the two during a game, emphasizing their closeness and mutual respect.

Kelsey Mitchell and leadership within the Fever

Last season, Kelsey Mitchell established herself as the key player for the Fever, averaging 20.2 points and 3.4 assists per game, guiding the injury-plagued team to the WNBA semifinals, where they fell to the Las Vegas Aces.

Meanwhile, Dantas contributed 4.6 points and 2.6 rebounds in 11.6 minutes across 38 games, leaving a mark of teamwork that Mitchell publicly highlighted.

Now, both players are in the WNBA spotlight as Mitchell and Dantas enter the offseason as free agents.

Mitchell, who earned $249,244 last season, also faces an uncertain future due to ongoing negotiations over the league’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which could affect the 2026 season.

Kelsey Mitchell stance on the league’s future

Kelsey Mitchell has been vocal about the importance of an upcoming season for fans and players alike.

“I hope we get a league,” she said. “I hope we can have a season, that’s it. For all the girls, for all the people aspiring to be in the league, that’s the start.”

Mitchell emphasized the responsibility of teams, players, and the league to ensure the WNBA’s future, advocating for fair revenue sharing and sustainable growth of the sport.