Indiana Fever Make Team Announcement 11 Days Before WNBA Season

Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Indiana Fever Make Team Announcement 11 Days Before WNBA Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Apr 28, 2026 8:09 AM ET

The Indiana Fever have a fan favorite back in the fold. The May 9 season opener against the Dallas Wings is right around the corner.

Indiana has been deep in training camp, building toward a redemption campaign. The 2025 season was turbulent from the start.

Star guard Caitlin Clark managed just 13 games due to multiple injuries. A quad strain, right groin injury and left ankle bone bruise derailed her second season. Sophie Cunningham also suffered a season-ending MCL tear.

Indiana just got even better news on Monday. A key player has been cleared to join the team after some uncertainty.

Indiana Fever forward Damiris Dantas (12) before the game against the Golden State Valkyries.© Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

With 11 days until opening night, Damiris Dantas is finally back with the Fever. The 33-year-old center-forward faced complications securing her U.S. visa while abroad. The delay kept her out of training camp, which opened April 19.

The Fever made it official on Instagram. The team posted a photo of Dantas back on the practice floor.

"Damiris Dantas back in the 317," the team announced on Monday, 11 days before the new WNBA season tips off on May 8.

View this post on Instagram

Dantas spent the offseason playing for Botas SK in Turkey's Women's Basketball Super League. The Fever re-signed her as an unrestricted free agent ahead of the 2026 campaign.

The Brazilian brings a decade of WNBA experience to Indiana's frontcourt. She has previous stints with the Minnesota Lynx and Atlanta Dream. Last season, Dantas averaged 4.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per game over 38 regular-season contests. A concussion, however, kept her sidelined for the entire playoff run.

Her return gives coach Stephanie White much-needed depth up front. Dantas adds size, experience and versatility to a frontline with championship aspirations.

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

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