WNBA Indiana Fever

Fever Signs Former Notre Dame And Canadian Star Achonwa

Published on February 5, 2015 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Indiana Fever News Release


INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Fever has signed 2014 first-round draft pick Natalie Achonwa to a contract for the 2015 season. An All-American who led Notre Dame to the NCAA Final Four, Achonwa tore her left ACL in an NCAA regional final game last season and missed the 2014 WNBA season.

Achonwa spent time between South Bend and Indianapolis last summer, and now continues her rehab and workouts with Fever medical staff in Indianapolis.

A second-team AP All-American and a first-team All-ACC selection, she is a versatile scorer and rebounder who the Fever selected ninth overall in last year's draft, despite the injury.

"At No. 9, Achonwa was someone we looked at all along," said Fever President and General Manager Kelly Krauskopf following last year's draft. "We see her as a first-round draft pick in next year's [2015] draft. We feel like we have a player who can make that kind of impact. We knew we wanted to have her."

Achonwa averaged 14.9 points and a team-leading 7.7 rebounds for Notre Dame in 2014. She was a part of a senior class that helped Notre Dame to a 138-15 record with four trips to the Final Four. She finished third in school history with 145 games played, and eighth with 970 rebounds.

A member of the Canadian National Team from Hamilton, Ontario, Achonwa was the second Notre Dame player ever drafted by the Fever, following Niele Ivey who starred with Indiana for four seasons (2001-04). Now an assistant coach with the Fighting Irish, Ivey was a second-round pick in 2001 (19th overall).

Pohlen signs training camp contract

Added to the list of Fever free-agent signings is Jeanette Pohlen, an unrestricted free agent who has encountered a pair of injuries since being drafted by the Fever in 2011. As a rookie, she led the WNBA in 3-point shooting percentage (.468), and helped Indiana to the WNBA title in 2012 despite succumbing to a torn left ACL in the WNBA Finals vs. Minnesota. She played briefly in 2013 and was preparing for a healthy 2014 when she tore her left Achillles' tendon prior to training camp. She plans a return to Indiana's training camp in 2015.

A WNBA playoff participant in 10 straight seasons and 11 times since 2002, the Indiana Fever has reached at least the conference finals seven times in the past 10 years - including WNBA Finals appearances in 2009 and 2012. Just two seasons ago, Indiana capped the 2012 campaign as the champions of women's basketball, beating the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA Finals. For 2015 season ticket information, visit FeverBasketball.com or call (317) 917-2528.

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