Caitlin Clark's Fever eyes 'new Lexie Hull' for 2026 draft

Jeremy Beren

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Caitlin Clark's Fever predicted to take 'new Lexie Hull' in 2026 WNBA Draft image

Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

TL;DR

  • Indiana Fever secured the 10th pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, not impacted by the lottery.
  • The team is expected to select UCLA Bruins wing Gabriela Jaquez with their pick.
  • Jaquez is a versatile defender and shooter, compared to Lexie Hull.
  • She would complement Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell.

For the second consecutive year, the Indiana Fever found themselves in an uncommon situation on Sunday, as the outcome of the WNBA Draft Lottery held no significance for them.

Having made the playoffs multiple times in a row, and achieving an unexpected journey to the WNBA semifinals despite Caitlin Clark's injury, the Fever had already secured the tenth selection in the 2026 draft, scheduled for April 13.

The Fever is poised to be a championship contender heading into the 2026 season. Securing a tough wing player currently excelling with the third-ranked NCAA women's squad would further bolster the team's lineup.

Jaquez fits on Fever

In The Athletic's new post-lottery mock draft, Sabreena Merchant predicts that the Fever will be enticed to select UCLA Bruins wing Gabriela Jaquez with the 10th pick.

Jaquez's suitability for Indiana could be one of the draft's finest. A flexible, adaptable player capable of defending positions one to four, Jaquez flourished in the 2024-25 season after securing a spot in the Bruins' starting rotation.

Jaquez, whose older brother Jaime is a player for the NBA's Miami Heat, would offer Indiana resilience and a reliable 3-point shot. She aggressively secures rebounds, seldom loses possession, and is notable for her off-ball movement, prompting Merchant to draw a positive comparison to Lexie Hull, who experienced a successful 2025 season with Indiana.

"A player who is always willing to sacrifice her body and crash the boards resembles fellow former Pac-12 alum Lexie Hull, especially if Jaquez’s 3-point shooting (47.4 percent this season) isn’t just a hot streak," Merchant wrote.

Given Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell (if she re-signs) are expected to handle the majority of offensive plays, a complementary shooter who is highly competitive might be precisely what Fever general manager Amber Cox desires this April.

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Editorial Team