Kelsey Mitchell (basketball)

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Kelsey Mitchell
Mitchell with the Indiana Fever in 2024
No. 0 – Indiana Fever
PositionPoint guard/Shooting guard
LeagueWNBA
Personal information
Born (1995-11-12) November 12, 1995
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Listed height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Listed weight153 lb (69 kg)
Career information
High schoolPrinceton (Sharonville, Ohio)
CollegeOhio State (2014–2018)
WNBA draft2018: 1st round, 2nd overall pick
Drafted byIndiana Fever
Playing career2018–present
Career history
2018–presentIndiana Fever
2019Al Ahly
2021–2022Elitzur Ramla
2023Spar Citylift Girona
2022–2024Athletes Unlimited League
2024–2025Shanxi Flame
2026Hive BC
Career highlights
Stats at Basketball Reference 
Medals
Women's 3x3 basketball
Representing the  United States
FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup
Gold medal – first place2023 San JuanTeam

Kelsey Michelle Mitchell (born November 12, 1995[1]) is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and for the Hive of Unrivaled.

Mitchell played college basketball for the Ohio State University Buckeyes. As a college freshman in 2014-15, Mitchell finished the season with 873 total points, the second highest by a freshman in NCAA Division I history.[2] Mitchell finished the regular season of her final season, in 2018, with the third-most points in NCAA Division I history,[3] and, after the post season, finished her college career with the second-most points, trailing only Kelsey Plum of Washington.[4] In February 2018, Mitchell was named the Big Ten women's basketball player of the year. She was a second-team All-American in 2015, 2017, and 2018, while notching first-team All-American honors in 2016.[5] In 2018, following her senior year, Mitchell won the Dawn Staley Award for best guard in Division I college basketball. Mitchell remains Ohio State's all-time leading scorer.

Mitchell was the second overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever, and was selected to the 2018 WNBA All-Rookie Team. Mitchell participated in the WNBA Three-Point Contest in 2018 and 2023. For her leadership on and off the court, Mitchell was awarded the 2023 Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award. Mitchell became a three-time WNBA All-Star with appearances in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

In 2019, Mitchell played for Egyptian club Al Ahly in the 2019 FIBA Africa Women's Clubs Champions Cup.[6] Mitchell signed with the Shanxi Flame of the Women's Chinese Basketball Association for the 2024-2025 season.[7]

College career

Mitchell completed her college career with the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2018. In February 2018, she was named the Big Ten women's basketball player of the year by the conference's coaches. She was a second-team All-American in 2015, 2017, and 2018, while notching first-team All-American in 2016.[5]

As a college freshman in 2014–15, Mitchell finished the season with 873 total points, which were the second-most by a freshman in NCAA Division I history, behind Tina Hutchinson's 898 with San Diego State in 1983–84.[2] During her senior season, Mitchell averaged 24.4 points per game on 46.1 percent shooting and 40.3 percent shooting from three. She also managed 4.1 assists per game and 3.2 rebounds per game. She finished the regular season of her final season with the third-most points in NCAA Division I history,[3] and ultimately finished her career with 3,402 points, trailing only Kelsey Plum of Washington.[4] In 2018, after her senior year, she won the Dawn Staley Award.

Professional career

WNBA

Indiana Fever (2018–present)

Mitchell was the second overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever, and was selected to the 2018 WNBA All-Rookie Team alongside A'ja Wilson, Ariel Atkins, and Diamond DeShields. Mitchell participated in the WNBA Three-Point Contest in 2018 and 2023. For her leadership on and off the court, Mitchell was awarded the 2023 Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award, becoming the 4th Fever player to win the recognition after Tamika Catchings (2008 & 2016) and Natalie Achonwa (2020). Mitchell participated in the 2024 Skills Challenge at 2024 WNBA All-Star Weekend after Fever teammate, Erica Wheeler, was unable to attend due to the global computer outages delaying her travel.[8] She became a three-time WNBA All-Star with appearances in 2023, 2024 and 2025 alongside Fever teammates Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark.

After entering free agency in 2025, the Fever designated Mitchell as a core player, giving the team exclusive rights and guaranteeing her a supermax contract for the 2025 season.[9][10] Mitchell had been the team's top signing priority according to Fever GM Amber Cox.[11] Mitchell signed a core contract on January 29.[12]

During the 2025 WNBA season, Mitchell experienced a serious medical incident in Game 5 of the semifinals on September 30, 2025. Initially believed to be severe lower-body cramping, it was later identified as rhabdomyolysis—a dangerous condition in which muscle tissue breaks down and releases harmful proteins into the bloodstream. She was transported to a local Las Vegas hospital to receive IV fluids and was released later that night.[13]. Despite Caitlin Clark missing most of the year, the Fever nearly made it to the finals as the 6th seed upsetting the Altanta Dream in Game 3, and then taking the eventual champs the distance losing to the Las Vegas aces in the fifth and final deciding game.[14]. That game went to overtime with Mitchell going down in the 3rd qtr with RABO and Boston fouling out at the end of regulation on suspect calls.[15]

Shortly after Indy's deep 2025 playoff run the Fever once again stated signing Kelsey would be their No.1 priority.[16] It was announced on November 24, 2025 Mitchell had signed on to play for Project B, a new league that is scheduled to launch fall of 2026.[17]. Then in March of 2026 just after the historic WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement[18] ESPN's Chiney Ogwumike reported Kelsey Mitchell signed the first $1.4 million supermax agreement with the Indiana Fever.[19] making her the highest paid WNBA player in 2026 @ 1.4 million along with Aja Wilson and Naaphesa Collier[20]. Kelsey's salary increased nearly five times with average WNBA salaries quadrupling to over $500,000/yr.[21]

Overseas

In 2019, Mitchell played for Egyptian club Al Ahly in the 2019 FIBA Africa Women's Clubs Champions Cup.[6]

Mitchell played in Israeli League for Elitzur Ramla in the 2021–22 off-season.

In 2023, Mitchel played 8 games with Uni Girona in Girona, Spain in the Spanish First League and 5 games in EuroCup.[22]

Mitchell signed with the Shanxi Flame of the Women's Chinese Basketball Association for the 2024–2025 season.[7]

Unrivaled

On November 5, 2025, it was announced that Mitchell had been drafted by Hive BC for the 2026 Unrivaled season.[23]

Personal life

Mitchell is from Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduated from Princeton High School in Sharonville, Ohio. She has a twin sister, Chelsea.[24]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game  FG%  Field goal percentage
 3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage  RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game
 SPG  Steals per game  BPG  Blocks per game  TO  Turnovers per game  PPG  Points per game
 Bold  Career high  *  Led Division I  °  Led the league  ‡  WNBA record

WNBA

Regular season

Stats current through end of 2025 season

WNBA regular season statistics[25]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2018 Indiana 341724.4.346.335.8041.82.70.70.11.912.7
2019 Indiana 34°2025.1.387.374.8361.62.60.40.11.713.6
2020 Indiana 22°22°32.1.448.389.8492.22.80.60.12.517.9
2021 Indiana 32°32°33.1.431.335.8822.62.51.10.22.017.8
2022 Indiana 313132.6.438.409.8611.94.20.90.22.418.4
2023 Indiana 40°40°33.7.441.398.8241.63.10.90.12.318.2
2024 Indiana 40°3832.0.468.402.8322.51.80.70.21.619.2
2025 Indiana 444431.4.456.394.7841.83.40.90.21.820.2
Career 8 years, 1 team 27724430.6.431.381.8282.02.90.80.12.017.4
All-Star 3115.6.536.2671.0001.71.71.30.00.011.7

Playoffs

WNBA playoff statistics
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2024 Indiana 2238.5.421.263.5003.04.00.00.04.519.0
2025 Indiana 8832.6.428.429.8671.53.01.00.32.322.3
Career 2 years, 1 team 101033.8.426.382.8511.83.20.80.22.721.6

College

NCAA statistics[26]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2014–15 Ohio State 353537.1.415.378.8354.24.21.70.24.124.9*
2015–16 Ohio State 343436.6.452.397.8523.23.41.70.23.126.1
2016–17 Ohio State 353534.2.437.369.8182.83.91.20.22.422.6
2017–18 Ohio State 353535.9.448.402.8323.24.21.50.12.224.3
Career 13913935.9.438.386.8353.33.91.50.23.024.5

See also

References

  1. "Kelsey Mitchell Career Stats—". ESPN. PENN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  2. "Buckeyes Fall at Buzzer in NCAA Second Round at UNC – Ohio State Buckeyes". ohiostatebuckeyes.com. AP. March 23, 2015. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  3. Hass-Hill, Colin. "Women's Basketball: Ohio State guard Kelsey Mitchell named Big Ten Player of the Year by conference's coaches". The Lantern. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  4. "Central Michigan stuns Ohio State in NCAA regional". ESPN.com. Associated Press. March 19, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  5. "Kelsey Mitchell Bio :: The Ohio State University :: official athletic site". Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  6. "Kelsey MITCHELL at the FIBA Africa Champions Cup Women – Final Round 2019". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  7. Dalzell, Noa (November 6, 2024). "Kelsey Mitchell and 5 WNBA stars to watch overseas this offseason". SBNation.com. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  8. Peterson, Chloe (July 19, 2024). "CrowdStrike outage grounds Erica Wheeler; Kelsey Mitchell to step in WNBA Skills Challenge". Indianapolis Star.
  9. "Transactions". WNBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. January 16, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025. The Indiana Fever extended a Core qualifying offer to Kelsey Mitchell.
  10. Peterson, Chloe (January 16, 2025). "Indiana Fever core free agent Kelsey Mitchell for exclusive negotiating rights". Indianapolis Star. Indianapolis, Indiana.
  11. Peterson, Chloe (January 10, 2025). "'Kelsey Mitchell is our top priority.' Will WNBA All-Star re-sign with Indiana Fever?". Indianapolis Star. Indianapolis, Indiana: Gannett. Retrieved February 5, 2025. "Kelsey Mitchell is our top priority heading into free agency," Fever GM Amber Cox said in November. "She, in my mind, is a cornerstone of this franchise. She's been here for seven seasons, and she has, you know, endured a lot, hasn't won a lot, so I really want her here to enjoy what is to come. She deserves that."
  12. "Transactions". WNBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. January 29, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025. Kelsey Mitchell signed a Core Contract with the Indiana Fever.
  13. Philippou, Alexa (September 30, 2025). "Kelsey Mitchell exits with rhabdomyolysis in Game 5 loss". ESPN. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av2YaYt2bGw
  15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av2YaYt2bGw
  16. https://www.si.com/wnba/fever/news/fever-gm-gets-clear-about-indiana-s-top-wnba-free-agency-target-01k6jntcfbp5
  17. https://x.com/ScottAgness/status/1993032262645170198
  18. https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-wnbpa-tentative-cba-deal-2026
  19. https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/48450282/source-kelsey-mitchell-sign-14m-supermax-deal-fever
  20. https://www.google.com/search?q=who+has+supermax+wnba&oq=who+has+supermax+wnba&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRifBTIHCAUQIRifBTIHCAYQIRifBTIHCAcQIRiPAjIHCAgQIRiPAtIBCjE5NzYzajBqMTWoAgiwAgHxBfBdfsn5qojw&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
  21. https://www.today.com/news/sports/how-much-wnba-salary-2026-rcna331722
  22. Eurobasket News (November 30, 2023). "Kelsey Mitchell left Girona". www.eurobasket.com. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  23. Andrews, Kendra (November 5, 2025). "Rosters set for Unrivaled second season after internal draft". ESPN. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  24. "Whoa! Three Fever Players Have Twin Siblings – Indiana Fever". fever.wnba.com. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  25. "Kelsey Mitchell WNBA Stats". Basketball Reference.
  26. "NCAA Statistics". web1.ncaa.org. Retrieved April 7, 2018.