With WNBA operations frozen as the league and players’ union hammer out the next CBA, the Indiana Fever find themselves in a rare moment of stillness — but certainly not silence. Fresh off a 2025 semifinal run and slated to pick 10th in the upcoming 2026 WNBA Draft, the Fever are already under the microscope as insiders, analysts, and rival teams attempt to predict their next big move. The expansion to 15 picks per round has only raised the stakes, transforming mid-round selections into potential franchise-shifting decisions. And Indiana, juggling the long-term pairing of Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, cannot afford a misstep.
The mock drafts are already pouring in, and one name is dominating the conversation: Madina Okot, South Carolina’s 6-foot-6 interior force. ESPN’s Michael Voepel projects the Fever to snag Okot, highlighting her dominant rebounding, elite shot-blocking, and highly efficient scoring. After transferring from Kenya to the SEC powerhouse, Okot has surged into the national spotlight with 10.6 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 13.2 points per game, establishing herself as one of the most physically imposing traditional centers on the board. And in a league where true defensive anchors remain rare, she may be too irresistible to pass up.
USA TODAY’s Meghan L. Hall echoes that sentiment, calling Okot “a smooth blend of size and speed,” praising her patience, footwork, and disruptive defensive instincts. Pro Football Network also places Indiana in the Okot camp, emphasizing her rapid development in just her second season in the United States and projecting her as one of the class’s most intriguing long-term prospects. Even Bleacher Report’s Erik Beatson jumps on board — a rare near-unanimous endorsement across major outlets.
But not everyone agrees.
The Athletic’s Sabreena Merchant argues that Indiana doesn’t need another centerpiece. With Clark and Boston already cemented as the franchise’s twin pillars — and with hopes of re-signing sharpshooter Kelsey Mitchell — Merchant believes the Fever need a versatile, non-ball-dominant role player capable of spacing the floor, defending multiple positions, and elevating the team without demanding touches. For her, the answer is UCLA wing Gabriela Jaquez. Merchant points to Jaquez’s jaw-dropping efficiency — 98th percentile in points per possession and 96th percentile in turnover rate — not to mention her impressive 47.4% three-point shooting this season. Her willingness to defend, crash the boards, and sacrifice her body, Merchant says, makes her a tailor-made glue piece for a roster already rich in star power.
CBS Sports writer Jack Maloney brings a third perspective: Serah Williams, the athletic UConn forward whose stats dipped after transferring but whose defensive ceiling remains sky-high. The 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Williams is praised for her length, mobility, and ability to run the break — traits that align perfectly with Indiana’s desire to increase frontcourt depth and maintain tempo alongside Clark.
Other projections include UCLA guard Gianna Kneepkens, suggested by NBA Draft Room, though she appears less frequently across major outlets.
For now, the Fever’s decision hinges on more than raw talent — it connects directly to the league’s uncertain future. The ongoing CBA negotiations, extended to January 9, have pushed expansion plans, draft logistics, and free agency timelines into murky waters. Until the smoke clears, Indiana can only prepare, evaluate, and hope their coveted prospect is still available when pick No. 10 finally arrives.
But make no mistake: the debate is already burning, the projections are piling up, and one question now looms over the entire WNBA off-season
Leave a Reply