WNBA Indiana Fever

Fever Signs Veteran Shooting Forward Marissa Coleman to Free Agent Deal

Published on March 28, 2014 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Indiana Fever News Release


INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Fever has signed veteran forward Marissa Coleman to a multi-year contract. Coleman was a restricted free agent who has spent five WNBA seasons between Washington and Los Angeles. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.

Coleman is one of the WNBA's most versatile forwards and posted her best season in 2011 when she averaged 8.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game with the Mystics. Traded to the Sparks prior to the 2012 season, Coleman was a part of playoff teams in Los Angeles the past two seasons. She averaged 4.6 points in 2013 while playing behind league MVP Candace Parker.

"Marissa helps us spread the floor with her perimeter shooting and size from the wing," said President and General Manager Kelly Krauskopf. "She adds depth to our back court. We are very happy to have her in Indiana."

A 6-1 guard-forward, she can play interior and perimeter positions and should bolster the Fever's versatility. Last season, she was one of the league's top shooting small forwards, hitting 40 percent from 3-point range and 43 percent overall. A career 36 percent 3-point shooter, Coleman should help spread the floor on offense, with the absence of shooting guards Katie Douglas and Erin Phillips.

The second overall pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft, Coleman was selected by Washington behind top selection Angel McCoughtry and ahead of college teammate Kristi Toliver. During an All-America career at Maryland, Coleman helped the Terrapins to a national title as a freshman in 2006, and became the first player in Atlantic Coast Conference history with 2,000 career points, 1,000 rebounds, 400 assists, 200 steals, and 100 blocks.

She recently completed play in South Korea where she and the KB Stars advanced to the semifinals of the league tournament. She averaged 6.0 points and 3.4 rebounds over 36 games last winter. She has previously played overseas in Italy, Hungary, France and Spain.

Indiana opens training camp April 27, prior to hosting a preseason game with the Washington Mystics on Monday, May 5 (12:00 p.m.). The Fever opens the regular season at Chicago on May 16 before hosting its home opener against the Atlanta Dream on Saturday, May 17 (7:00 p.m.)

A WNBA playoff participant in nine straight seasons and 10 times since 2002, the Indiana Fever has reached at least the conference finals six times in the past nine 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. The Fever begins its 2014 season at Chicago on Friday, May 16, and hosts a home opener Saturday, May 17 against Atlanta (7:00 p.m.). For season ticket information, visit FeverBasketball.com or call (317) 917-2528.

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