The Indiana Fever have officially announced the signing of veteran guard Odyssey Sims to a hardship contract, providing a much-needed boost to their roster in the midst of a difficult stretch caused by injuries. The team qualifies for this hardship roster spot due to the recent setbacks suffered by Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald, both of whom are currently sidelined. With the addition of Sims, the Fever gain an experienced floor general who has been a consistent contributor throughout her lengthy WNBA career and brings both leadership and on-court production.
Sims, an 11-year WNBA veteran, has built an impressive professional résumé since entering the league in 2014. Over the course of her career, she has averaged 11.2 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game, demonstrating her ability to score, facilitate, and contribute on both ends of the court. She has also played for multiple franchises, showing an ability to adapt to different systems and roles. Her career journey has included stints with the Tulsa Shock (2014–15), Dallas Wings (2016, 2023–24), Los Angeles Sparks (2017–18, 2024–25), Minnesota Lynx (2019–20, 2022), Atlanta Dream (2021), and Connecticut Sun (2022).
One of the high points of Sims’ career came during the 2019 season with the Minnesota Lynx, when she earned her first WNBA All-Star selection and was named to the All-WNBA Second Team. That season showcased her ability to take command of an offense, create scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates, and rise to the occasion against elite competition. Her accolades that year solidified her reputation as one of the league’s premier guards.
Sims began the 2025 WNBA season with the LA Sparks, where she appeared in 11 games as a starter. In that span, she averaged 9.8 points and 3.5 assists per game, proving she still has the skills and competitive edge to perform at a high level. While her tenure with the Sparks this season was relatively short, she displayed her trademark court vision, quick decision-making, and ability to push the pace in transition—qualities the Fever are hoping will immediately translate into positive results.
Before her professional career, Sims had an outstanding run at Baylor University, where she was a cornerstone of one of the most dominant programs in women’s college basketball. She played a key role in helping the Bears win the 2012 NCAA National Championship, solidifying her status as one of the top guards in the country. During her senior season in 2014, she was recognized as the Big 12 Player of the Year and the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, highlighting her two-way excellence. Her leadership and relentless competitive drive made her a standout at the collegiate level and ultimately led to her being selected No. 2 overall in the 2014 WNBA Draft.
For the Indiana Fever, the signing of Sims is more than just a roster fill—it’s an opportunity to inject experience, scoring capability, and veteran poise into a team battling adversity. Losing two guards in Colson and McDonald has disrupted the team’s backcourt rotation and impacted offensive flow. Sims’ ability to handle the ball, create offense, and step into a starting or reserve role without missing a beat could be critical in helping the Fever stay competitive during this stretch.
Sims is also known for her toughness and resilience, traits that align well with the Fever’s identity. Over the years, she has shown an ability to navigate different team cultures and systems while still producing at a high level. Her arrival not only addresses immediate roster needs but also brings a mentor presence for younger players, who can learn from her vast experience in the league.
Additionally, her versatility as both a point guard and shooting guard gives head coach flexibility in lineup combinations. Whether she’s facilitating the offense, scoring from mid-range, attacking the basket, or locking in defensively against opposing guards, Sims brings a complete package of skills that can elevate the Fever’s performance.
The Indiana Fever announced that Sims will wear No. 1 for the team—a symbolic fresh start as she takes on this new chapter in her career. Fans will be eager to see her suit up and contribute immediately, especially with the Fever needing every advantage they can get to navigate their injury challenges.
With the regular season still in progress, Sims’ signing comes at a pivotal moment. If she can quickly adjust to the Fever’s system and develop chemistry with her new teammates, her impact could extend beyond simply filling in during an injury crisis. She has the potential to play a key role in helping the Fever remain competitive in the playoff hunt, offering the kind of steady veteran presence that can help stabilize a team facing adversity.
In short, the Indiana Fever’s decision to bring in Odyssey Sims reflects both necessity and ambition. While injuries have created short-term roster challenges, the organization has seized the opportunity to add a proven and decorated player to its ranks. Sims’ track record, leadership, and skill set make her an ideal fit for a team in need of immediate backcourt support—and her presence could prove invaluable as the Fever push forward in the 2025 season.
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