The Indiana Fever are showing promising signs for the future, thanks in large part to the incredible impact of rookie Caitlin Clark. After being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Clark wasted no time proving her worth on the court. With impressive averages of 19.2 points and 8.4 assists per game, she quickly established herself as one of the most versatile and dynamic players in the league. Paired with All-Star forward Aliyah Boston, Clark helped the Fever show flashes of brilliance throughout the 2024 season. With the arrival of 2023 Coach of the Year, Stephanie White, Indiana’s prospects for the 2025 season are looking even brighter.
However, while the Fever’s future looks promising, there are still some uncertainties surrounding the roster. Specifically, the forward position remains a question mark with the uncertain future of NaLyssa Smith in Indianapolis. As the team works to build on its success, they are expected to focus on strengthening their frontcourt in the upcoming WNBA Draft. ESPN’s latest 2025 mock draft suggests that the Fever could select UCLA forward Janiah Barker with their No. 8 pick.
Barker, a 6-foot-4 powerhouse, has been a force in college basketball. After spending her first two years at Texas A&M, where she averaged 12.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, she transferred to UCLA and joined their strong inside game. While her scoring has seen a slight dip this season (9.3 points per game), her rebounding has significantly improved, now averaging 9.0 boards per contest. Barker’s offensive versatility, along with her ability to dominate on both ends of the floor, makes her a highly coveted prospect. ESPN’s Michael Voepel described her as a potential “powerful post player” and noted her strong performance at both Texas A&M and UCLA, which has set her up as a top draft candidate.
What makes Barker particularly intriguing is her history with USA Basketball. As a high school standout at Montverde Academy, she earned spots on both the under-16 and under-18 USA national teams, helping them capture gold medals in international competition. Given her proven ability on the global stage, the Fever may look to pair her with Clark to form a dynamic duo that could drive Indiana’s offense for years to come. However, Barker, still a junior in college, would need to declare for the draft to make this pairing a reality.
If the Fever select Barker and bring her alongside Clark in 2025, Indiana would add another key piece to their already promising roster. The potential for a strong frontcourt featuring both Clark’s playmaking and Barker’s scoring and rebounding could elevate the Fever to new heights. As the draft approaches, basketball fans will be watching closely to see if this potential pairing materializes, setting the stage for an exciting future in Indiana.
