No More Fouls: Fever’s Star-Studded Roster Is Built to Protect Caitlin Clark—and Shake the WNBA to Its Core
Caitlin Clark didn’t just survive her rookie season—she endured it.
The former Iowa sensation walked into the WNBA as the league’s most-hyped rookie in years, carrying the weight of sky-high expectations and national media attention. But instead of a warm welcome, she was met with a cold reality: a league ready to test her limits, physically and mentally. From hard screens to flagrant fouls, Clark’s debut season quickly became a gauntlet of hits, shoves, and cheap shots. The message from some opposing players was clear: “You’re not welcome here.”
But the Indiana Fever got the message, too—and they’ve responded.
This offseason, the Fever didn’t just reload. They reimagined their entire identity. No more finesse without force. No more allowing their franchise star to be bullied into submission. Instead, they’ve surrounded Clark with one thing she lacked last year: protection.
The Fever’s new roster isn’t just a collection of talent—it’s a wall of enforcers. Natasha Howard. Sophie Cunningham. Brianna Turner. DeWanna Bonner. Veterans with reputations for grit, physicality, and leadership. These are not players who flinch. These are players who hit back.
The Rookie Gauntlet: What Caitlin Clark Endured
To understand just how urgent Indiana’s offseason changes were, you need only rewind Clark’s rookie campaign. Despite being a sharpshooter known for finesse, not physicality, Clark absorbed a staggering 17% of the WNBA’s flagrant fouls last season. Yes, one player—a rookie—took nearly a fifth of the league’s most dangerous hits.
The Chicago Sky alone accounted for 80% of those, with players like Angel Reese, Kennedy Carter, and DiJonai Carrington turning games into grudge matches. From hip-checks during live play to shoulder charges after the whistle, Clark’s first year often resembled a WWE storyline more than a basketball season.
She never retaliated. Never complained. She simply adjusted her ponytail, drained a three, and jogged back on defense. That ice-cold response only fueled the hostility. It was clear: Clark needed backup.
The Fever’s Response: Building the Wall
The front office didn’t just watch. They went to work. And the result is one of the most calculated, hard-nosed roster overhauls in franchise history.
Let’s break it down.
Natasha Howard – The Anchor
Howard is the kind of veteran who doesn’t ask questions—she enforces answers. A three-time WNBA champion, former Defensive Player of the Year, and perennial All-Star, Howard brings a championship pedigree and a take-no-prisoners attitude. Standing 6’2” with a wingspan that disrupts entire possessions, she’ll immediately become the Fever’s defensive backbone.
She’s more than just a bruiser. Howard averaged 17.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and nearly 3 assists last season. She can switch onto guards, bang with centers, and hit from outside the arc. And now, she’s got Clark’s back.
“I’m excited to return to Indiana and bring my experience and toughness to the team,” Howard said. “I want to help Caitlin and the Fever compete at the highest level.”
Opponents who got away with cheap fouls last year? That time is over.
Sophie Cunningham – The Spark
If Howard is the enforcer, Cunningham is the irritant you love to have on your team and hate to play against. With a background in martial arts and a 37.8% three-point shooting clip, Cunningham isn’t just skilled—she’s strategic.
She plays with an edge, gets under opponents’ skin, and isn’t afraid to get physical. Think Draymond Green—but with range and fewer ejections.
Cunningham and Clark have already formed a mutual admiration society. “She sees the floor before she even catches the ball,” Cunningham said of Clark. “I can’t wait to catch those passes.”
That chemistry matters. And Cunningham’s presence on the floor means defenders thinking of bumping Clark now have to look over their shoulder.
Brianna Turner & DeWanna Bonner – The Vets With Teeth
Turner brings length, mobility, and elite shot-blocking ability. Bonner, a two-time champion and five-time All-Star, brings poise and presence. Together, they round out a frontcourt rotation that is as deep as it is dangerous.
Neither is afraid of contact. Both understand the playoff grind. And both are more than capable of stepping in when things get too physical.
Turner’s ability to defend the paint and Bonner’s ability to stretch the floor give Clark exactly what she needs: room to operate and teammates who won’t let her be steamrolled.
A Culture Shift
This isn’t just roster construction—it’s culture correction.
The message from Indiana’s front office is loud and clear: you mess with Clark, you answer to us.
Last year, some opponents may have mistaken Clark’s silence for weakness. They won’t make that mistake again. She now has a safety net—one made of hardwood, elbows, and veteran pride. The Fever’s enforcers aren’t here to take names. They’re here to change the narrative.
Clark’s presence continues to transform the league. But now, the Fever have ensured that transformation is protected, empowered, and reinforced.
Why It Matters
Clark isn’t just a player. She’s an investment in the future of the WNBA. She sells tickets, drives ratings, and inspires the next generation. But no investment thrives without protection. Indiana knows that. And now, they’ve built around her not just with scorers, but with soldiers.
Opposing teams can still try to rough her up—but they better be ready for the consequences.
