"One of the realest on my team": NaLyssa Smith pens heartfelt birthday message for Fever teammate Kelsey Mitchell

By Sahir Bhojwani

Modified Nov 14, 2024 05:51 GMT

With star talent such as Kelsey Mitchell, NaLyssa Smith, Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, the 2024 Indiana Fever team will go down as one of the best in franchise history. After a successful season, the Fever's core players have created close relationships. On Tuesday, forward NaLyssa Smith shared a heartwarming birthday message for her teammate Kelsey Mitchell.

Smith may be on the other side of the world in China, but that didn't stop the WNBA star from taking time out of her day to wish Mitchell on her 29th birthday on Tuesday.

"Happy birthday to one of the realest on my team, you know the vibes when it come to us. 4 eva in yo corner 0, love you family! <333," Smith wrote.

Indiana Fever forward NaLyssa Smith wishes teammate Kelsey Mitchell on her birthday. Photo Credit: NaLyssa Smith's IG account

Smith added three images of the two players sporting the blue, white and red versions of the Indiana Fever jerseys. The Instagram story was accompanied by the track "Shock da world" by rapper Rod Wave.

Mitchell and Smith were key pieces in Christie Sides' 2024 Fever team that won 20 games in the regular season. Indiana qualified for the postseason for the first time since 2016, and led the league in attendance and viewership figures.

Along with rookie guard Caitlin Clark, Mitchell was one of the team's standout players, averaging 19.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

NaLyssa Smith is part of a talented young core of players in Indiana

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and forward NaLyssa Smith react from the bench at Footprint Center. Photo Credit: Imagn

The Indiana Fever have done an incredible job of scouting and drafting top players out of college over the past few seasons.

In the 2022 draft, the organization picked up NaLyssa Smith (second overall pick) and Lexie Hull (sixth overall pick). In 2023, they added highly-rated forward Aliyah Boston to the lineup. Last season, the Fever drafted Caitlin Clark, who won the Rookie of the Year award.

The Fever are coming off an exceptional season but the goal for next year will be to retain the core of the team. Mitchell is a free agent and there are no indications that she will re-sign with Indiana. Smith has just one year remaining on her contract. Guard Erica Wheeler and forward Temi Fagbenle are also free agents going into the offseason.

With newly-appointed head coach Stephanie White taking the helm last month, there will likely be some changes in the Fever roster going into the 2025 campaign. It will be interesting to see if the organization can retain the top-tier talent that helped it have a successful 2024 season.