Indiana Fever re-sign All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell

Jan. 29 (UPI) -- The Indiana Fever agreed to a new contract with All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell, the WNBA franchise announced Wednesday.

Mitchell, 29, averaged a career-high 19.2 points per game over 40 appearances while sharing a backcourt with rookie phenom Caitlin Clark in 2024. She also logged 2.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per appearance.

"Kelsey has been a foundation of our franchise for many years, and we are thrilled to see her return to the Fever," Fever president Kelly Krauskopf said.

"We value Kelsey's commitment to our organization, and we're excited to see her build off a phenomenal 2024, her best season yet. She is one of the best guards in this league and is a cornerstone to building a championship roster."

Mitchell joined the Fever as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft. The former Ohio State star averaged 16.8 points, 2.8 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game over her first 233 career appearances. She earned his first All-Star selection in 2023, when she averaged 18.2 points, 3.1 assists and 1.6 rebounds per game.

"I'm thrilled that Kelsey is returning to Fever," Fever coach Stephanie White said. "She has been an integral part of this franchise from the moment she was drafted.

"I have watched her journey from the sideline since her time in college and have always admired her work ethic, approach to the game and the way she interacts with her teammates. I can't wait to work with her on a daily basis."

Mitchell revealed in November that the 2024 campaign was "one of the hardest seasons" she has ever been through "in basketball and in life." Her dad, Mark, died in March. He was just 56.

"You don't expect your dad to die at 56," Mitchell wrote in The Players' Tribune. "That sent a shock through our whole family and everyone that knew him. It hurt more than I could ever put into words.

"Pain and trauma makes you look at life a little different. I didn't know what would happen next, if I was going to play this season ... how I was supposed to play this season."

Mitchell and the Fever will face the Washington Mystics in a preseason game May 3 in Indianapolis. They will open their regular-season campaign against the Chicago Sky on May 17 in Indianapolis.