Indiana Fever Sign Former Notre Dame Standout Brianna Turner
The Indiana Fever have bolstered their roster by signing forward Brianna Turner, a former Notre Dame star known for her defensive presence and rebounding ability. Turner, who has spent the past five seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, now joins a young and promising Fever squad looking to make strides in the WNBA.
Turner Brings Defensive Versatility to Indiana
Turner, 27, was originally selected by the Atlanta Dream with the 11th overall pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft before being traded to Phoenix on draft night. She quickly established herself as a defensive anchor, earning a reputation for her shot-blocking and rebounding skills. Over her five seasons with the Mercury, Turner averaged 5.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game.
Her best season came in 2021, when she played a key role in helping Phoenix reach the WNBA Finals. That year, Turner averaged 7.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game while often guarding the opposing team’s best frontcourt player.
In joining the Fever, Turner provides valuable experience to a young core that features No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark, 2023 Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston, and rising guard Kelsey Mitchell. With Indiana aiming to return to playoff contention, her presence in the paint will help solidify their defense.
College Success at Notre Dame
Before making her mark in the WNBA, Turner had an impressive collegiate career at Notre Dame, where she played from 2014 to 2019. As a key contributor to the Fighting Irish, she helped lead the team to the 2018 NCAA championship and multiple deep tournament runs.
During her time at Notre Dame, Turner became known for her defensive prowess, finishing her career as the program’s all-time leader in blocked shots. She averaged 12.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game while shooting over 60% from the field.
Her dominance in the post earned her multiple All-ACC honors, and she played a crucial role in Notre Dame’s national title run. Now, she returns to Indiana, where she will once again look to make an impact at the professional level.
Fever Continue to Build a Competitive Roster
The Fever have been aggressive in reshaping their roster, adding key pieces to complement their young stars. With the addition of Turner, Indiana strengthens its frontcourt depth and gains a defensive-minded veteran who can protect the rim and contribute on the boards.
Turner’s ability to defend multiple positions and provide interior toughness makes her a valuable asset, especially alongside Boston, who has quickly emerged as one of the league’s most promising post players.
Indiana, which has struggled in recent seasons, is hoping that a mix of veteran leadership and young talent will help them become a playoff contender again. Turner’s experience in deep playoff runs with Phoenix could be an important factor in guiding this young Fever squad.
As the WNBA season approaches, all eyes will be on Indiana to see how their revamped roster comes together. With Turner’s defensive skills and championship experience, she could play a crucial role in helping the Fever take the next step in their rebuilding process.