The Indiana Fever have had to call reinforcements more times than they would have liked this season. From Caitlin Clark’s exit to Aari McDonald’s, the team has had to adapt every so often. Stephanie White credits the players’ ability to gel and help each other out there. But the offensive lapses, they were glaring in the loss against Dallas, forcing yet another addition. It may have been a move in the crisis for the front office, but for Kyra Lambert, it might just have been a dream unfolding.
After losing all of their true point guards, the Indiana Fever were obliged to sign at least 2 new players. One came in the form of Odyssey Sims– an 11-year veteran, the 2014 No.2 pick, known for her quickness and the ability to go downhill and make plays. The second one, a young guard with overseas experience, where she won the Greek A1 league, but with 0 minutes in the W– the league she dreamt of playing at. So it has been a long path for the former Texas longhorn, one marred by injuries, but if you ask her, Lambert never stopped believing.
During her official practice session with the Indiana Fever, reporter Tony East asked, “So, is you recovering from the ACL injuries that you went through in college… kind of was this the dream, the vision for you coming through that or did that kind of seem farfetched?” Lambert was quick to make it known that no injuries could falter her spirit.
“No, it never seemed farfetched,” she assured. “I mean, I just did the work. I trusted the process. Again, staying faithful and trusting that God’s timing is perfect and here we are.”
The new signee suffered an ACL tear during the first round of the 2017 NCAA tournament as a sophomore. That kept her out for the entirety of her junior year. And while she returned for the 2018-19 campaign, she faced another tear during the preseason. So the guard was forced to miss 2 consecutive seasons at Duke, but she never gave up. Lambert returned to the program for her graduate year and averaged 5.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.2 steals before completing her college career with Texas.
Now she is running with some of the game’s best. After playing for several European Clubs, Lambert impressed during her latest stint with Olympiacos. In winning the league, she averaged 15.4 points and 6.3 dimes per game while shooting over 40% from beyond the arc. No wonder she was bestowed with the EuroCup Guard of the Year honor.
As the team prepares to face the young Mystics roster, can Kyra’s hunger and international experience help the Fever clinch another win? So far, she has left a good enough impression on Coach White.
The newest Fever member signals Aari McDonald-like mindset
As the latest player to join the Indiana Fever roster, albeit on a 7-day replacement contract, Kyra Lambert signalled a strong Aari McDonald-like mindset during the practice sessions today. Well, Aari too was a hardship joinee whose contract was later extended to a rest-of-season deal. But before she hit the hardwood, McDonald had a hunger, studying hours of film, getting herself familiarized with the system.
Now Lambert ignited the same sentiment. Before Stephanie White made the comparison, talking to reporters ahead of the Washington Mystics game, Lambert said, “Just, you know, the goal is to win. The goal is to get another championship… I have been watching, I have been studying… I think it [ her game] fits perfectly [with the Fever system]– running and gunning, getting the ball out quick, pressuring the defense.”
Praising her newfound teammates for their warm welcome and making Lambert at home, the guard stressed that she has been keeping tabs with the league and has done her homework, ready to join hands. It will be exciting to watch Indiana Fever as they yet again, fight to remain resilient.
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