Fever's ideal draft target is worth watching closely this season

The Indiana Fever are just getting started. They returned to the playoffs behind a historic rookie season from Caitlin Clark where she shattered several records. The 22-year-old is already one of the best players in the W, and the Fever will build their roster around her.

The first move was bringing back Kelly Krauskopf as team president. She built all those contenders around Tamika Catchings and is a proven winner. Krauskopf will keep adding pieces and came from the Pacers where a fast-paced team around a star point guard just reached the conference finals.

The 2025 WNBA Draft won’t happen until April, but NCAA basketball is quickly approaching. Teams are gearing up for the season, and there will be plenty of interest. Paige Bueckers figures to go number one overall, but who can the Fever get with the eighth pick? The perfect target is worth watching closely.

Sonia Citron is the ideal fit for the Fever in the 2025 WNBA Draft

The Fever want to put shooting and defense around Caitlin Clark. Indiana had the second-worst defensive rating in the W this season. Clark will draw the defense and create open looks on the other end. The Fever were fifth in 3-pointers made and third in 3-point percentage. Clark will have the ball, so they need knockdown shooters who lock in on defense.

Citron averaged 17.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.8 steals in 35.6 minutes per game as a junior at Notre Dame. She is a career 37.0 percent 3-point shooter, and the Irish had an 84.5 defensive rating with her on the floor last season. Citron figures to be a two-way force for a Notre Dame team with sky-high expectations.

The Irish had two projected first-round draft picks in ESPN’s latest mock draft. Citron was taken 11th overall by the Lynx, which is three spots below where the Fever will select.

Indiana figures to keep Kelsey Mitchell and hunt for a monster free agent. Citron will be ready for a role immediately. Ideally, she comes off the bench in year one and has time to adjust to the W. The Fever want to contend and giving a rookie massive minutes is not conducive to that.

Citron could blossom into the ideal 3-and-D wing the franchise wants around Caitlin Clark, and fans should keep an eye on her throughout the upcoming college season.

It is too soon to predict who will go where in the 2025 WNBA Draft. There are tons of games to be played and much sorting out before it happens in April. Expect the Indiana Fever to look for a strong 3-and-D wing with the eighth overall pick and Sonia Citron stands out as the perfect target at this stage.