Caitlin Clark teammate’s Kelsey Mitchell talks handling increased popularity

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Caitlin Clark’s popularity and prowess on the court has drawn a ton of new eyeballs to the Indiana Fever and the WNBA in general.

On Sunday, the Footprint Center was sold out as 17,071 fans came to the arena to see the matchup. Likely, a lot of them came to witness Clark and saw her nearly complete a triple-double.

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Kelsey Mitchell, #0 of the Indiana Fever, looks on during the game against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on June 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell admitted after the Fever’s 88-82 win that the new excitement around the team was something to get used to. The team is already averaging around 16,700 fans at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse – the most in the WNBA.

“I think the same eyes were on her at Iowa, so I think she’s kind of like mastered how it’s supposed to go. Hats off to her for dealing with it. I think for us it’s obviously an adjustment,” Mitchell said, via Desert Wave Media

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Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, #22, and Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell, #0, interact during a WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun on June 10, 2024 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

“We’re new to Caitlin, and Caitlin is new to us, so it’s an adjustment as far as those eyes, but me personally, I’m fine.”

Mitchell, who was an All-Star for the first time last season, is averaging 16.3 points this season. Ironically, Clark topped Mitchell’s scoring mark in college on her way to becoming the all-time leader.

For now, the goal remains simple – make the playoffs.

Kelsey Mitchell fights for the ball

Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell, #0, and Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham, #9, battle for a loose ball during the second half of a WNBA basketball game on Sunday, June 30, 2024 in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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With the win over the Mercury, the Fever jumped to the No. 8 spot in the WNBA standings. If the season ended on Sunday, they would be in the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

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