As a record-breaking 19,103 fans gathered together at the Los Angeles Sparks’ arena, it wouldn’t be long before they confirmed that the highly-anticipated battle between the 2024 WNBA Draft’s No. 1 and No. 2 picks would live up to the hype. Along the way, they were also introduced to one of the Indiana Fever’s early-season unsung heroes. With a stride to match the quickness with which she’s become a fan favorite, Temi Fagbenle races the floor’s length, balancing herself to snag an outlet pass before putting her ability to craft unique at-the-rim scoring angles to the test against 6-foot-7 Li Yueru. Thinking her way out of the baseline’s edge, Fagbenle uses first a pass fake and then a nifty pivot spin, freeing her path for a softly-floated right-hand finish. From her leadership to her physical interior play, Fagbenle’s versatility propelled Indiana’s first regular-season win on May 24, 2024. Stable as always in guiding the Fever’s reserves, Fagbenle shined on the elevated stage with 17 points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal, one block, and one 3-pointer. · May 25, 2024