The WNBA’s 2024 expansion draft was supposed to be a methodical chess game for teams, but for the Indiana Fever, it seemed more like an episode of Survivor. Their bold strategy? Leaving Temi Fagbenle—the reigning queen of locker room vibes and Caitlin Clark’s BFF—completely unprotected. Bold indeed.
After just one solid season with the Fever, Fagbenle packed her bags and waved goodbye to Indiana, courtesy of the Golden State Valkyries. Cue the collective gasp from Fever fans. The British-Nigerian Center was more than just a stat sheet filler; she was the glue in a team that managed to cobble together some semblance of camaraderie in a turbulent season. And yet, when the draft rolled around, the Fever brass decided she wasn’t worth one of their precious six protection slots.
“Trust the Process?” Amber Cox Defends the Indefensible
Amber Cox, Fever COO, pulled out the ol’ “trust the process” playbook when questioned about this curious decision on In Case You Missed It with Khristina Williams.
“It’s part of an overall plan,” Cox explained, channeling her inner chess master. “The expansion draft is difficult. Six is not very many when you think about protecting anyone on your roster. This group obviously built great camaraderie in the second half of the season, so that was not an easy decision. But again, part of a bigger plan that I hope everyone will get to see unfold.”
Translation: We had to sacrifice a pawn, and unfortunately, the pawn was a championship-winning, high-energy teammate with Caitlin Clark’s stamp of approval.
A Teammate to Miss, A Friend Forever
Caitlin Clark didn’t hide her feelings about the move. Following Fagbenle’s heartfelt Instagram farewell, Clark responded with a simple yet emotional:
“Love ya Tem! Gonna miss you ❤️.”
Their connection on and off the court was evident throughout the season, and Clark’s reply felt less like a teammate bidding farewell and more like a dramatic Love Island exit speech.
Fagbenle’s farewell, on the other hand, was pure class:
“To my teammates: we had a season of revelations and growth. So proud of y’all for persevering. Thank you for lifting me and each other. F the noise. Keep growing together. Thank you for the consistent energy, Indy fans. Y’all are solid 🔥🙏🏾.”
If there were an award for “Most Graceful Exit After Being Underappreciated,” Fagbenle just locked it in.
Golden State Valkyries: Winners of the Expansion Draft Sweepstakes
Meanwhile, over at the Golden State Valkyries camp—led by Joe Lacob and fueled by his Warriors-esque ambition—champagne corks were likely popping. Not only did they snag Fagbenle, but they also bolstered their roster with players like Iliana Rupert, Kayla Thornton, and Monique Billings. Valkyries fans are already dreaming of a “dynasty in the making” thanks to these 11 additions.
The Valkyries’ social media team wasted no time confirming Fagbenle’s acquisition with a celebratory tweet. And while the Fever were left spinning their “bigger plan” narrative, the Valkyries looked like winners before even stepping onto the court.
The Numbers Don’t Lie—But Do They Tell the Whole Story?
Statistically, Fagbenle’s season wasn’t jaw-dropping: 6.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks per game. But stats don’t measure energy, leadership, or how she made that one impossible pass to Clark during crunch time. And now, all that energy is headed to the Bay Area.
Fever Fans: Patience is a Virtue (Apparently)
Indiana’s offseason promises to be… intriguing. With Fagbenle gone and Amber Cox teasing a master plan that’s yet to be unveiled, Fever fans are left playing the waiting game. The big question: will this mysterious strategy pay off, or will 2025 be another season of what could have been?
For now, all we can do is watch as the Valkyries soar, while the Fever hope their bold gambit doesn’t end up as an embarrassing blunder. Either way, Temi Fagbenle is getting the last laugh—and maybe even a playoff run.
