Why Fever are signing 2-time WNBA champion with career 4.6 point per game average

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Why Fever are signing 2-time WNBA champion with career 4.6 point per game average originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Indiana Fever are making an addition to their frontcourt.

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Following news that Damiris Dantas would be sidelined for the remainder of the 2026 season, the Fever on Monday announced that veteran center Mercedes Russell has been signed after the WNBA granted Indiana an injury exception.

Dantas has undergone surgery to repair a torn meniscus in her left knee. She was an important reserve for head coach Stephanie White, and Russell is arriving in a bid to fill the void.

MORE: Why Indiana lieutenant governor is calling for Stephanie White's firing

Russell has not played in 2026, but she is a veteran of 209 WNBA regular-season games. She's also a WNBA champion, having won the title as a member of the Seattle Storm in 2018 and in 2020.

Russell played in 20 games for the Los Angeles Sparks last season, and she averaged 1.7 points and 1.2 rebounds in 8.2 minutes per game as frontcourt depth.

In acquiring Russell, the Fever aren't looking for big numbers or dazzling skill plays. She may not shoot the 3-ball as well as Dantas, but Russell fills a need as a 6'6'' big who can protect the rim. That will come in handy the closer the Fever get to the playoffs.

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