Indiana Fever Send Farewell Message to Temi Fagbenle

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Dec 6, 2024 8:16 PM ET

The developments in the WNBA on Friday night are expected to have a major impact on the upcoming season as well as for the years to come. The Golden State Valkyries, who will be making their WNBA debut in 2025, have selected their 11-player roster via the expansion draft as they picked out one player from each team in the league, except for the Seattle Storm.

One of the biggest names the Valkyries added on Friday was Temi Fagbenle of the Indiana Fever. The 6-foot-4 center is now set to part ways with the Fever after spending the last season in Indiana.

Fagbenle is not the biggest Fever star, but there's no denying that she played a role in Indiana's incredible season -- one that saw them make it to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

The Fever took to Instagram shortly after the news broke to send a farewell message to Fagbenle now that she's set to take her talents to Golden State.

"Temi Fagbenle has been selected by the Golden State Valkyries in the 2025 WNBA Expansion Draft," the Fever wrote.

"thank you, Temi ♥️"

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A post shared by Indiana Fever (@indianafever)

Fever fans did not take the news too well, with more than a few supporters voicing their dissenting opinions about it. For the most part, the Fever faithful have been left in disbelief by the fact that the team opted not to include Fagbenle on their protected players list, thereby giving the Valkyries an opportunity to scoop up the 32-year-old veteran.

"I’m shocked we didn’t protect her. But I trust our front office. Who did we protect tho??? " a comment read.

"This is going to bite us back Thank you, Temi. You're a valuable player to any team you play in ❤️" said another.

"Why was Temi not protected?! Please make it make sense? She has awesome chemistry with CC & might be best rim runner in the league. So disappointed. Who was the 6th protected?" a fan asked.

"I can’t believe you never protected Temi. She was one of our best players that could play in the new style of basketball that the fever was playing " reacted a Fever supporter.

"I gasped loudly! I thought she’d be protected. I hope there’s a plan to get keep her!" another stated.

"We love you Temi! Good luck with the @valkyries ❤️" a fan wrote.

Joining Fagbenle in Golden State, among others, is now-former Las Vegas Aces guard Kate Martin. The former Iowa Hawkeyes star has already sounded off on her move to the Valkyries as the expansion team looks to make a splash in the WNBA in 2025.

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

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