What happened: Kelsey Mitchell anchors Indiana Fever's rotation during a championship push in her ninth season. She pairs that workload with doctoral studies, balancing practice, travel and coursework.
Why it matters: Her A veteran producing at league-best volume while carrying an academic load frames durability beyond the box score.
By the numbers: Year 9: 1,086 points (No. 1 in WNBA), 24.7 PPG (No. 2), 135 three-pointers (No. 1), 45.0% from three (No. 1).
What to watch: Watch how Indiana manages Mitchell's minutes through the title chase and whether her shooting volume holds in the postseason.