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2 days ago
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Caitlin Clark's Teammate Accused Of 'Quitting' On The Fever
Caitlin Clark's Teammate Accused Of 'Quitting' On The Fever originally appeared on The Spun. As if dealing with a losing streak isn't tough enough, the Indiana Fever have a disgruntled player on their roster who refuses to suit up. Advertisement The Fever bolstered their roster in free agency by signing a plethora of experienced players, including DeWanna Bonner. The six-time All-Star was supposed to elevate Indiana's frontcourt while bringing championship pedigree to the locker room. Bonner was averaging 7.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game before sitting out for "personal reasons." It wasn't until this week that WNBA fans learned that she wants out of Indiana. Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports reported Tuesday that Bonner has "no interest" in returning to the Fever. Apparently, she got frustrated over her reduced role. "Multiple sources told Front Office Sports that the fit in Indiana was 'off' from the beginning," Costabile wrote. "Bonner—who was signed to be an anchor with championship experience for the team's young core—was expected to be a starter." IOWA CITY, IA - MAY 4: Caitlin Clark #22, DeWanna Bonner #25, Sophie Cunningham #8 and Lexie Hull #10 of the Indiana Fever smile during the game against the Brazil Women's National Basketball Team during the WNBA preseason game on May 4, 2025 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)Fever fans believe Bonner quit on the team mid-season. For that reason alone, she probably won't get much support from the public. Advertisement "Wish her the best and her actions and behaviors at the beginning of the season really made us fans love her. Disappointed to see her leave like this. The younger Fever players really respected her and wanted to win for her," one fan said. "Who quits on her team in the middle of the season because things ain't going their way? This is so low man," a second fan wrote on X. "Wanting to be a starter on a team that runs a fast paced offense at near 40 is insane," another fan said. "Like she started the season in the starting lineup and played poorly, and someone better took her spot. It be like that sometimes." The Fever are expected to work on a trade for Bonner. Her preferred landing spots are the Atlanta Dream and Phoenix Mercury. Advertisement Do you think Bonner quit on the Fever? Related: There Are Growing Calls For Indiana Fever To Make Coaching Change Caitlin Clark's Teammate Accused Of 'Quitting' On The Fever first appeared on The Spun on Jun 25, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
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2 days ago
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Indiana Fever Make Final Roster Decision On DeWanna Bonner
Indiana Fever Make Final Roster Decision On DeWanna Bonner originally appeared on The Spun. The DeWanna Bonner drama has finally come to an end for the Indiana Fever. During this past offseason, the Fever signed Bonner to a one-year contract because of her championship pedigree and consistent production. Unfortunately for the front office, she stopped suiting up for games due to "personal reasons." It later came out that she wasn't happy coming off the bench for Stephanie White's squad. Advertisement Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports reported Tuesday that Bonner has "no interest" in returning to the Fever. "Multiple sources told Front Office Sports that the fit in Indiana was 'off' from the beginning," Costabile wrote. "Bonner—who was signed to be an anchor with championship experience for the team's young core—was expected to be a starter." Less than 24 hours later, Chloe Peterson of the Indianapolis Star reported that Bonner is being waived this Wednesday. They won't have to worry about a buyout or a monetary penalty since Bonner agreed to an unprotected $200,000. Bonner will finish her time with the Fever averaging 7.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per contest. Her skillset just didn't fit in Indiana's fast-paced offense. Indiana Fever forward DeWanna Bonner (25) celebrates a three-pointer Tuesday during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Washington Mystics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on June 3, Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The Fever will fill Bonner's roster spot with Aari McDonald. She's expected to sign a one-year contract at the veteran minimum. Advertisement McDonald filled in admirably for Caitlin Clark during her brief absence, averaging 11 points per game. Now that Indiana has put this situation in the past, it's possible the locker room will be able to operate with a bit more freedom. As for Bonner, it's unclear what's next for her. According to Front Office Sports, her preferred landing spots are the Atlanta Dream and Phoenix Mercury. Related: Caitlin Clark's Teammate Accused Of 'Quitting' On The Fever Indiana Fever Make Final Roster Decision On DeWanna Bonner first appeared on The Spun on Jun 25, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
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2 days ago
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DeWanna Bonner Breaks Silence On Social Media After Leaving Fever
DeWanna Bonner Breaks Silence On Social Media After Leaving Fever originally appeared on The Spun. WNBA fans were rather surprised yesterday to learn that DeWanna Bonner was suddenly leaving the Indiana Fever. Advertisement Bonner won two WNBA championships with the Phoenix Mercury during her 11 years with the team. Just last month she became the No. 3 leading scorer in WNBA history. But things seemed to have soured between Bonner and the Fever in recent weeks. Earlier this month the team started listing her on the injury report as absent for "personal reasons." While we still don't know what those personal reasons are, a recent Instagram post from Bonner might shed some light. In her most recent post she made it clear that she's not a "quitter" she expects people to apologize to her "in due time." "A quitter!! Nah never been that! But when the time comes... 'Let's just make sure the apologies, are just as loud as the disrespect!' In due time..." she wrote. Basketball fans weren't amused by Bonner's bold words though. Many feel that she's being dramatic and simply refusing to take accountability for giving up on her team: Advertisement "She's so cringe. You literally ARE a quitter. She can spin whatever victim narrative she comes up with but that doesn't change the fact that she made her choice as a free agent and then quit on the team SHE chose to sign with," one user on X declared. "WNBA players ability to be the aggressor and the victim at the same time is fascinating," wrote another. "Lmaooo as she literally quit on a team because she got benched... I think the whole W (at this point) needs some type of psychological help," a third wrote. May 17, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever forward DeWanna Bonner (25) before the game against the Chicago Sky at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images At 37 years of age (turning 38 in a few weeks) and with over 15 years of pro basketball under her belt, it's hard to say how many more years Bonner has left to play. WNBA teams might balk at signing someone who just up and left the team that she signed for in free agency. Advertisement For the sake of her career, Bonner may have to choose her next course of action carefully. Have we seen the last of DeWanna Bonner on a WNBA court? Related: Fans React To Indiana Fever Cutting Two-Time WNBA Champion DeWanna Bonner Breaks Silence On Social Media After Leaving Fever first appeared on The Spun on Jun 26, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
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2 days ago
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Sam Ponder Shows True Character With Comment On Kirk Herbstreit
Sam Ponder Shows True Character With Comment On Kirk Herbstreit originally appeared on The Spun. Sam Ponder, the former Sunday NFL Countdown host and College GameDay reporter, was fired by ESPN ahead of the 2024 football season. It would be understandable for the Liberty University graduate to hold some animosity toward the network and her former colleagues, given how her tenure at ESPN ended. Advertisement The New York City resident hasn't worked in TV since she was fired. Some have speculated that Ponder, who leans right on many social and political issues, was let go due to her politics. ESPN maintains that she was let go due to budgetary cuts, as she was making north of $1 million to host a once-a-week show in the fall. 'I don't believe that anything is just budget cuts anymore,' former NFL sideline reporter Michele Tafoya, who worked at ESPN from 2000-2011, said. 'I think that they clearly wanted to find an off-ramp for Sam. What's troubling to me is the timing. 'This is three weeks before the NFL season begins. Her show, Sunday NFL Countdown, is coming off its best ratings year in quite some time. So I don't know why they would do this so close to the season and bring so much attention, unless they want to bring in the next host and give that host a lot of attention.' MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 02: Samantha Ponder speaks at Inside the Game Q&A presented by IFA on February 2, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Thaddaeus McAdams/WireImage)Ponder, though, showed her true character this week, when she was asked about her time at ESPN, specifically College GameDay. She had nothing but good things to say. Advertisement "Do you ever talk to the college gameday guys anymore?" a fan asked Ponder. She responded: "David Pollack is stuck with me as the big brother I never (jk) wanted, and I was texting with Kirk Herbstreit the day before I got fired. 🤣 Rece Davis is my forever favorite. I'll never forget how all 3 of them loved Jesus and treated people. I will be a college gameday fan as long as they continue to make it about the people. It's such a special show." It would be understandable if Ponder, who is enjoying time off while raising her three kids in New York, had negative things to say about ESPN - or her former colleagues. However, she chose to take the high road, doing nothing but complimenting her former show and network. Ponder is rightfully being praised for her classy remarks on Herbstreit and the rest of the College GameDay crew. Advertisement The ESPN college football pregame show, meanwhile, will get back on the air on Saturday, Aug. 30, live from Columbus. Sam Ponder Shows True Character With Comment On Kirk Herbstreit first appeared on The Spun on Jun 26, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
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2 days ago
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TJ McConnell's Sister Has 6-Word Message For Everyone
TJ McConnell's Sister Has 6-Word Message For Everyone originally appeared on The Spun. The Indiana Pacers fell short in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, but T.J. McConnell truly gave it everything he had. McConnell filled in admirable for Tyrese Haliburton throughout the NBA Finals. When the All-Star guard went down with a torn Achilles in Game 7, McConnell scored 16 points for the Pacers, with 12 points coming in the third quarter alone. Advertisement Following the team's heartbreaking loss on Sunday night, McConnell gave Indiana's fan base a well-deserved shoutout. He also apologized for coming up short in the final game of the season. "They're absolutely incredible," McConnell said in regards to Pacers fans. "Just want to apologize for coming up short. We wouldn't be in this position without them. They've willed us to a lot of wins, and it's an honor and a pleasure to play in front of them." INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JUNE 19: T.J. McConnell #9 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter in Game Six of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by)McConnell's sister, WNBA guard Megan McConnell, showed him support throughout the NBA playoffs. As you'd imagine, she was devastated by the Pacers' season-ending loss. Advertisement On Tuesday night, Megan McConnell shared a few photos from the NBA Finals along with a message for everyone. "So much to be grateful for," she wrote. Megan, a former all-conference player at Duquesne, is currently on the Phoenix Mercury. She signed a contract with the team in June. Unfortunately for McConnell's sister, she suffered a knee injury in her debut with the Mercury. It's unclear when she'll be cleared for action. Whenever Megan returns to the hardwood, we'd have to imagine T.J. will be in her corner cheering her on. Related: Pacers Star T.J. McConnell's Wife Trending During 2025 NBA Finals TJ McConnell's Sister Has 6-Word Message For Everyone first appeared on The Spun on Jun 25, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
