Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell expressed her excitement and gratitude as she prepared to play in the WNBA All-Star Game hosted in Indianapolis, her home city, on Saturday. The opportunity to compete close to home, surrounded by family and longtime supporters, made this appearance particularly meaningful for Mitchell in what is her third consecutive All-Star selection.
After completing vital games during the week, Mitchell finally embraced the moment, sharing her emotions about returning home for this prestigious event.
“I feel happy that my family and friends are able to come. It’s close for us because I’m from Cincinnati, so a lot of us get to connect, reconnect through basketball. It’s just fun, it’s a good experience and I’m grateful, I’m grateful I’m here,”
Mitchell said, highlighting the personal connections the event has fostered.
Teammates and Indiana Basketball History Elevate the Weekend Atmosphere
Alongside Kelsey Mitchell, teammates Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston are also All-Star participants, marking the second year they share this distinction. Although the players have become accustomed to the event, this year’s setting in Indianapolis adds a unique energy, as it is only the 13th city to host the All-Star weekend since its inception. The game’s locations have expanded beyond the traditional East Coast corridor, recently including western cities like Phoenix and Las Vegas.
Attendance for the festivities on Friday night reached approximately 15,000 fans, signaling strong local support. Sabrina Ionescu, the 3-point shootout champion, reflected on the vibrant crowd:
“The last time I did the 3-point shootout in Vegas, it didn’t feel sold out,”
she noted, adding,
“The last time (Stephen Curry) beat me when we were here in Indy. So really happy to be able to be here and put on a good show.”
The deep basketball culture in Indiana is well known, with many players embracing the state‘s storied history. Atlanta guard Allisha Gray acknowledged the dual significance of “Hoosiers” as both the Indiana University nickname and a celebrated basketball film, appreciating the honor of playing in a place with such a rich basketball legacy.
Contrasting Experiences of Home Advantage Among Players
Not all players have felt the same connection when playing All-Star Games in locations they consider home. Four-time All-Star Kelsey Plum, who spent six seasons with the Las Vegas Aces before joining the Los Angeles Sparks, shared her perspective:
“Playing in front of home fans is definitely fun, though it brings in a mix of everything,”
she said.
“At the time, I was in Vegas (where) we had a lot of visitors in town, so it didn’t feel super homey. It felt kind of like everyone was cheering for their person.”
Unlike Plum’s experience, the Indianapolis crowd on Saturday is expected to be strongly supportive of homegrown talent like Mitchell, who is admired locally for her scoring ability, positive energy, and determination. With eight professional seasons behind her and last year’s first playoff run, Mitchell is seen as a figure destined for an emotional and impactful All-Star appearance according to teammate Caitlin Clark.
Recognizing Indiana’s Basketball Icons and Their Role in the Event
The weekend also honored former Fever players such as Erica Wheeler, now with Seattle, who received a warm ovation during Friday’s skills competition. Skylar Diggins, a seven-time All-Star and Indiana native, was celebrated for her accomplishments, which include leading Notre Dame to three consecutive Final Four appearances in the very fieldhouse hosting the game.
Diggins expressed her appreciation for the city and fans:
“It’s always love when I come here,”
she said of the orange carpet event, the best she has witnessed.
“The fans are amazing. This is a great host city. It makes sense that it’s here and I’m happy because like I said, I get to see a lot of my family and friends, and I’ve already seen people around town that I haven’t seen in years.”
Future All-Star Game Destinations and Players’ Hopes
As Indianapolis embraces the event, players from other cities are already advocating for their hometowns to host future All-Star weekends. Atlanta’s Allisha Gray voiced this enthusiasm:
“It’ll be nice, but I feel like tonight we’ll represented by a lot of Atlanta Dream fans, so I can’t wait,”
she said, continuing,
“The league needs to put its All-Star (Game) in Atlanta — soon.”
Mitchell, with strong ties to Cincinnati and Indianapolis, may find such a move appealing, as it also offers a chance to visit friends and family in other basketball hubs, including by dining at Erica Wheeler’s Atlanta restaurant.
The Significance of Connection Beyond Competition
For Mitchell, the All-Star Game serves as a rare opportunity to come together with not only teammates but also friends and rivals, building connections through basketball.
“For us as people, it’s an opportunity to connect on different levels and for us, I think, basketball is a way to do that,”
she remarked.
“And I think it’s fun for the city, I think it’s fun for our families. It’s just fun for the world, considering everything that’s happening.”
Playing the Kelsey Mitchell All-Star home game in Indianapolis underscores the importance of community and highlights the lasting bond between players and fans in a city deeply rooted in basketball history. With the event’s success, Indianapolis may well become a recurring host, offering future All-Stars the chance to celebrate the sport on a welcoming home stage. Meanwhile, players continue to look forward to expanding the league’s footprint with more vibrant venues in coming seasons.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Who is the highest-paid player in the WNBA? Entering 2025, the highest-paid WNBA player is Indiana Fever star Kelsey Mitchell. Mitchell’s base salary is $249,244, according to Spotrac.
A. Who earns the most in the WNBA?