The WNBA season might be over, but the drama around the Indiana Fever is just getting started. With Unrivaled—the groundbreaking off-season women’s basketball league—set to return for its 2026 campaign in January, fans are buzzing over which Fever players are making the jump. And while Caitlin Clark won’t be suiting up this time, the Fever are still sending a stacked lineup that’s turning heads across the league.
Ever since Unrivaled’s debut earlier this year, speculation swirled around whether Caitlin Clark would join the star-studded mix for its second season. After playing only 13 games in the 2025 WNBA season due to multiple injuries, many believed Clark would use the off-season league to regain her rhythm. But in true Clark fashion, she shut down the rumors.
“She’s sitting out this time,” a source confirmed. “Her focus is fully on getting healthy and preparing for 2026 with Indiana.”
Still, the Fever faithful have nothing to worry about. Because even without their biggest star, the team’s presence in Unrivaled just got louder.
As of October 30, four Indiana Fever players are officially set to compete in Unrivaled’s 2026 season:
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Aliyah Boston
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Kelsey Mitchell
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Lexie Hull
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Aari McDonald
That last name? The latest surprise announcement that sent Fever fans into a frenzy. McDonald, who tore up the court in limited minutes last season, grabbed one of the final three roster spots in the league—and she’s expected to thrive in the fast-paced 3-on-3 format.
Boston and Hull are both returning for their second Unrivaled stint, and fans remember exactly what they bring. Hull was a key piece of Rose BC, the team that stormed through the inaugural season to win the league championship. Her signature grit and high-effort defense made her a breakout star beyond the WNBA spotlight.
Meanwhile, Boston’s interior dominance fits perfectly in the smaller, quicker, highlight-heavy environment of Unrivaled. Add Kelsey Mitchell’s shooting and McDonald’s speed, and suddenly, Indiana looks like they’ve built a mini-version of their own powerhouse squad inside the new league.
Here’s the kicker: the Unrivaled season runs straight through the WNBA’s free agency period. And yes—Mitchell, Hull, and McDonald are all pending free agents.
That means their off-season performances could spark serious bidding wars. While all three are expected to re-sign with Indiana, fans can’t help but hold their breath. Anything can happen. One standout stretch in Unrivaled could flip the entire WNBA free agency board on its head.
And there’s more—sources inside the league hint that one or more Unrivaled players could be traded or signed to Indiana before the WNBA tips off again. So the Fever’s Unrivaled connection might actually grow before it fades.
Even without Clark in the mix, Indiana continues to dominate the headlines. The Fever are building something deeper than hype—they’re shaping culture. Their players are everywhere: on podcasts, in commercials, and now, leading Unrivaled into its second, more polished, more competitive year.
The WNBA might be on pause, but for the Fever, the grind never stops. From Aliyah Boston’s leadership to Lexie Hull’s fiery edge, these women aren’t just carrying Indiana—they’re redefining what it means to compete in women’s basketball.
And with Unrivaled returning in January 2026, one thing’s already clear: even in the off-season, the Indiana Fever are still the story everyone’s talking about.
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