Caitlin Clark Names Indiana Fever's Best Defender Without Hesitation

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 11:00 PM ET

There is no doubt that Caitlin Clark has been the driving force for the Indiana Fever throughout this season. A testament to this fact is how the Fever struggled without their best player on the court during her recent three-week injury layoff, losing three out of five games.

At the same time, however, there's also no denying that Clark has a formidable supporting cast around her. The Fever know that the 23-year-old can't do it all by herself, which is why they've surrounded her with a squad that is ready to go to battle with her.

If you ask Clark, there is no doubt in her mind that Lexie Hull is one of the most important players on the team. In fact, the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year named Hull as the Fever's best defender without any hesitation.

"I think the game is completely different when Lexie is on the floor," Clark said. "Her energy, her tenacity, the way she affects the game, whether she's scoring or whether she's not.

"She's our best defensive player. I think she's one of the best defensive players in the league."

Fever assistant coach Austin Kelly seconded Clark's praise for Hull. Kelly expressed how Hull "means a lot for us on both ends of the floor," while also heaping praise on the 25-year-old's elite work ethic.

Kelly also expressed his admiration for Hull's shooting efficiency, which is also something that has caught Clark's attention.

"She shoots the ball really well," Clark said of Hull. "Over the course of the last two seasons, she's made a lot of threes for us. She's shooting at close to 60%, which is really unheard of in all of basketball. You don't see that."

“She’s our best defensive player. I think she’s one of the best defensive players in the league.”

Caitlin Clark with the shoutout to Lexie Hull before tonight’s matchup in San Francisco pic.twitter.com/LZYxIW02Z3
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) June 20, 2025

The Fever will need Hull to be at her best on Thursday as they play the Golden State Valkyries in a road game at Chase Center. The Valkyries have a number of formidable weapons on the offensive end as well, and Indiana will need Hull's defensive prowess in this one.

It goes without saying that Clark will need to keep her foot on the gas, too, as she looks to lead Indiana to their third straight victory on Thursday night.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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