In a move no one saw coming, the Indiana Fever stunned the WNBA world by passing on fan-favorite Lucy Olsen and instead drafting Makayla Timpson and Brie Hall. Now fans—and analysts—are scrambling to make sense of what it really means for Caitlin Clark’s championship hopes.
Indianapolis — When the 2025 WNBA Draft began, fans of the Indiana Fever were buzzing with certainty: Lucy Olsen—the electrifying guard from Villanova—was headed to Indy. Her court vision, offensive polish, and fiery tenacity made her a presumed perfect complement to Caitlin Clark, the league’s new marquee attraction.
But when the Fever’s turn came up with the 19th pick, they did something few expected. They passed on Lucy Olsen, instead selecting Makayla Timpson, a 6’2” force of nature from Florida State. Moments later, with the 20th pick, they doubled down—selecting Brie Hall from South Carolina, another name most analysts had lower on their mock draft boards.
It was a bold, calculated move that immediately lit up social media with confusion, celebration, and controversy. Was this a front-office blunder… or a genius retooling for a title run?
Makayla Timpson: The Rim-Running Answer to Indiana’s Interior Woes?
With a 6’10” wingspan, a relentless motor, and the rare distinction of being the only Division I player in the 2024-25 season to average 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks, Makayla Timpson is not your typical late-first-round pick. She’s a rim-running, glass-cleaning, shot-swallowing machine who gives the Fever exactly what they’ve lacked down low: presence.
More importantly? Caitlin Clark thrives with rim-runners.
“Clark is at her best when she can create and dish to someone who finishes at the rim,” said WNBA analyst Michelle Voepel. “Timpson is that kind of player. She’s long, explosive, and has a nose for the ball. It’s a dangerous combo.”
Amber Cox and Lin Dunn, Fever front-office veterans, couldn’t contain their excitement post-draft.
“We didn’t think she’d still be on the board,” Cox said. “But once she was, there was no hesitation. She’s exactly the kind of athlete who complements Caitlin’s game.”
Brie Hall: A Defensive Specialist Built for Postseason Intensity
If Timpson is the interior anchor, then Brie Hall may be the Fever’s new perimeter enforcer.
Standing at 6’0” and hailing from Dawn Staley’s elite program at South Carolina, Hall built a reputation as a lockdown defender with big-game DNA. Though not a volume scorer, she’s a high-IQ player who knows how to disrupt the opposition’s best guards.
“She’s the type of player who can take pressure off Clark defensively,” said Fever head coach Christie Sides. “And she’s used to winning—she’s played in more high-pressure games than most veterans. That matters.”
Fans may not have cheered this pick initially, but make no mistake: Brie Hall is a culture player, the kind that wins championships by doing the gritty, unglamorous things.
But Where’s Lucy Olsen? And Why Did the Fever Pass?
The omission of Lucy Olsen was, by all accounts, stunning.
Olsen was widely regarded as a top-15 talent. A prolific scorer, floor general, and proven leader, she carried Villanova through countless close games. She was also widely mocked to the Fever, seen as a perfect co-ballhandler next to Clark.
Yet when the dust settled, Lucy Olsen had slipped into the second round—unclaimed—while Indiana moved on.
What happened?
Insiders suggest that while Olsen’s talent is undeniable, her fit with Clark may not have been ideal. Both are high-usage players who thrive with the ball in their hands. Olsen’s ball-dominant style might have created friction—or worse, redundancy.
“We didn’t feel it was the right basketball fit,” said Lin Dunn, bluntly. “We love Lucy’s game, but building around Caitlin means every piece has to amplify what she does. Timpson and Hall do that in ways fans might not see at first glance.”
Still, many online weren’t convinced.
“Timpson and Hall are solid, but Lucy Olsen is SPECIAL,” one X user wrote. “This better not be another Fever mistake.”
Caitlin Clark Reacts… with a Subtle Message
While Caitlin Clark hasn’t directly commented on the Fever’s draft picks, she posted a cryptic story on Instagram hours after the selections: a photo of her in mid-pass with the caption “Let’s run.”
To some, that was a clear endorsement of the Fever’s pick of Timpson, the ultimate rim-runner.
“She’s excited,” said teammate NaLyssa Smith. “We’re building something real here. You can feel it.”
And with Clark entering her sophomore season on the heels of breaking 62 rookie records and generating over $36 million in local economic impact, there’s no question the Fever are all-in on building around her.
The Bigger Picture: Fever Are Betting on Fit, Not Fame
What the Indiana Fever have done isn’t glamorous—but it might be genius.
Rather than grabbing the flashiest name still on the board (Olsen), they opted for balance, role-specificity, and defensive versatility. In a league that still struggles with roster depth, those qualities win titles.
Think back to how the Las Vegas Aces built around A’ja Wilson. Or how the old Lynx constructed dynasties around the quiet toughness of players like Rebekkah Brunson and Lindsay Whalen.
Now think: Could Makayla Timpson be Clark’s Sylvia Fowles? Could Brie Hall be her Alana Beard?
If that answer is yes—even a partial yes—the Fever just pulled off the most underrated heist of the 2025 draft.
What’s Next for the Fever—and the League?
The Fever have momentum. They have the league’s biggest star. And now, they have two new puzzle pieces who could quietly elevate them from young and talented to dangerous and playoff-bound.
Whether or not fans agree with the picks now, history may judge them more kindly—especially if Clark continues ascending and Timpson/Hall grow into their roles.
As for Lucy Olsen? The draft isn’t over yet. But wherever she ends up, the story of how the Fever passed on her for two undervalued stars will remain one of the boldest gambles in recent WNBA memory.
And in the end, that gamble might be exactly what changes everything.
