Iowa native Caitlin Clark made it crystal clear this week: she wants Kelsey Mitchell back in an Indiana Fever uniform next season, and she's willing to do the recruiting work herself.
During her end-of-season media availability Thursday, Clark pledged her full support in Indiana's efforts to re-sign the star guard, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent this winter after signing a one-year, $1.4 million supermax deal in April.
Clark: 'We need her, we love her'
Clark didn't mince words when describing what Mitchell means to the Fever and to her personally.
“As far as Kelsey and her future with the organization, I think she knows how much I love her. We've talked since the season has ended. There's nobody I would want to share the backcourt with other than her. I think we had the best season of any backcourt in the WNBA in the league's history (with) what we were able to do,” Clark said.
The former University of Iowa superstar added that the entire organization is ready to go all-in on keeping Mitchell in Indiana.
“I know this organization, we're gonna work our butt off to get her back. We're gonna recruit her as hard as we can. Every player that is signed to a contract is gonna recruit her as hard as we can. We need her, we love her, and I think more than anything, Kelsey's a really great person, and I love getting to be in the locker room with her,” Clark said.
Mitchell's historic season numbers
Mitchell's production this season made her case for a big payday undeniable. The 5-foot-8 guard averaged 24.7 points per game, the fifth-highest single-season scoring average in WNBA history and the best in Fever franchise history.
She also set league records with 1,086 total points and 135 made 3-pointers, while leading the WNBA in 3-point percentage (45%) among players with more than 25 attempts from beyond the arc. Her 64.5% true shooting was 8.4% above the league average and ranked as the third-highest ever by a 20-point scorer.
Together, Clark and Mitchell powered the Fever to a 115 offensive rating, the best in league history.
Salary cap challenges ahead for Fever
The Fever will need to navigate some serious salary cap constraints this offseason to make a Mitchell deal work while still leaving room to strengthen the roster around their dynamic backcourt duo.
Clark made it clear that Mitchell's return is the organization's top priority, and she hopes to spend the rest of her career playing alongside her.
“More than anything, I hope she comes back here and the arena is chanting MVP for her again, because that's what she deserves. She's been with this organization nine years. It would be 10 if we were able to sign her back. So, that's certainly our goal. That's our No. 1 priority. For myself, my No. 1 priority. I hope for the rest of my career I get to play alongside her. That's how easy she makes my job,” Clark said.
For Iowa fans who followed Clark from her Hawkeye days to the pros, the message is simple: the Clark-Mitchell partnership isn't over yet.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever determined to re-sign Kelsey Mitchell