LEXIE HULL IS THE WNBA’S BIGGEST X-FACTOR IN 2025

When you think about the Indiana Fever, the first thing to come to mind is undoubtedly Caitlin Clark. She just turned in the greatest rookie campaign in WNBA history, and has already established a reputation as one of the greatest women’s basketball players (if not THE greatest) to ever lace up a pair of sneakers on the hardwood. She is the savior of this franchise, and quite arguably of this entire league. Simply put, she is Her.

And yet, Clark is not the most critical component of the collective Fever unit looking ahead to the upcoming season. That title belongs to her workplace bestie, Lexie Hull.

After 2x seasons of ‘so-so’ play for one of the league’s worst teams, the 6’1” wing became an indispensable cog in Indiana’s rotation last season. Hull’s unending energy on the less glamorous end of the floor was on full display throughout her 3rd go-round as a professional, and she benefitted immensely from the gravity that Caitlin Clark required on the offensive end of the floor. Her 47.1% splash rate from downtown ranked 2nd in the NBA, and her gazelle-like ability to get out on the break and fill lanes made her a prime running mate next to Clark. If it was not Kelsey Mitchell cutting back door/leaking out on the break for a pinpoint pass from the GOAT, it was Hull.

There is no telling what new GM Amber Cox has up her sleeves as it pertains to this squad’s 2025 personnel, but odds are there is at least one fresh face coming aboard ready to make a major difference for this organization as it looks to turn the corner of contention. Regardless of who that new arrival is, they are not usurping Hull as this team’s greatest X-Factor. And with this rising team looking to take the next step after earning it’s first postseason nod since 2016, there is no other play across the league who is more important to their team’s aspirations next season.

You already know what you are going to get from Clark: a transcendent floor general capable of carrying the entire team on her back. The same can be said of Aliyah Boston: a bouldering big who can do just about everything asked of her at a high level (steady shooting stroke loading…). Kelsey Mitchell is a lightning rod offensively who can blow past defenders in the blink of an eye and/or sink jumper after jumper after jumper. And then there is NaLyssa Smith, one of the more under-appreciated hoopers in the league and the 4th member of the Fever’s capable of dropping 20-any-given-night club.

That quartet is easily the most talented bunch of ballers this team boasts, and each of them will play a major role in determining how high this club can climb next season. But imagine if Hull continues to expand her skillset. She lives almost exclusively off of catch and shoot/finish opportunities offensively, but what if she comes out with an enhanced ability to make plays for teammates in 2025? Strategizing for how to contain the Fever’s offensive attack (one of the league’s most lethal last season) with that added luxury would be a nightmare for opposing staffs. And that is without even knowing who could be coming to Indianapolis via free agency.

It will be intriguing to see how Hull performs next to Angel Reese and co. with Team Rose in Unrivaled’s upcoming (and highly anticipated) inaugural campaign. If she comes out cooking and carries that confidence into the WNBA season, it could/should be game over for the rest of the league.

Keep going, Lexie!