MINNEAPOLIS – Aerial Powers knew she had a long trip ahead of her when she first heard the Indiana Fever wanted to sign her.
Powers, who the Fever signed to a seven-day contract with a hardship waiver Saturday, was halfway across the world when she got the call.
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“It was actually crazy,” Powers said. “I was in Turkey, actually, playing basketball. I got friends out there, and I was just working out. But I was like, ‘Hell yeah, when do you need me?’ And they let me know that it would be in the next few days.”
She had a couple days to gather her things and make the trek back to the United States, and she made it to Gainbridge Fieldhouse by Aug. 22 — a Yahoo! Sports video caught her in the arena with a Kelsey Mitchell MVP shirt on, matching what multiple players wore pregame against the Minnesota Lynx.
The Fever technically couldn’t sign her until after Friday’s game, as they didn’t receive a third hardship waiver until after Sophie Cunningham, who tore her MCL on Aug. 17, missed a game.
But Powers, who has been working out every day, was ready to plug in immediately.
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“It was cool because I’ve been working out every day, so I was like, ‘Okay, I’m ready. Let’s go,’” Powers said. “So once they called me, I was very thankful, very, very blessed to be here and excited to start my journey with them.”
Powers also knows why the Fever need her — because of the litany of injuries that recently plagued the team.
Indiana already had two players on hardship contracts when Cunningham suffered her MCL tear, as Sydney Colson (left ACL) and Aari McDonald (right foot) suffered season-ending injuries on Aug. 7 against Phoenix.
When Cunningham, a respected veteran and a spark for the Fever team, went down, they had to reshuffle the roster once again. They ended up releasing Kyra Lambert, who was a rookie on a seven-day contract, two days before her contract was up, and instead signed Shey Peddy, a veteran point guard.
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They were still missing depth at wing, especially when Chloe Bibby was a late addition to the injury report on Aug. 22 after she “felt something” in her left knee pregame. And they got it with Powers, an 10-year veteran who can bring energy to any team she’s on.
“It’s kind of weird being in this position, coming in for someone injured, especially Sophie, we have a good relationship, so I was upset that she got hurt,” Powers said. “Her and along with the other girls, I wish them the best of health. But for me, I’m excited to bring energy to the team, also whatever they need, defensively, offensively.”
So far, Powers has been exactly what they need.
Powers made her debut Sunday after just a walkthrough and shootaround with the team, playing 18 minutes with five points and five rebounds.
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“I like her energy, certainly,” Fever coach Stephanie White said. “I like her length and her athleticism, her ability to be disruptive on the defensive end of the floor, her ability to attack. You know, she’s a veteran. She’s been in this league. She’s won in this league. So she’s been, she’s been, she’s been on teams, she’s been in camps, she’s ready to go.”
She is crucial depth at wing behind Lexie Hull — as evidenced when Hull needed to leave the game briefly on Tuesday after knocking heads with Seattle’s Gabby Williams — and can play heavy minutes when needed. She played 20 minutes against Seattle, scoring two points and bringing down nine rebounds to tie the team lead.
Powers’ role on the team will likely fluctuate as both Bibby and guard Caitlin Clark, who has been out since July 16 with a right groin injury, aim to come back before the end of the season. But Powers, who spent part of the season with the Golden State Valkyries before getting waived, relishes the opportunity to return to the league.
Chloe Peterson is the Indiana Fever beat reporter for IndyStar. Reach her at capeterson@gannett.com or follow her on X at @chloepeterson67. Get IndyStar’s Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Fever news: Aerial Powers signed to bring energy, wing depth
