Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell unveiled the NBA player that she reached out too for playoff advice.

For the first time since 2016, the Indiana Fever are headed to the postseason, and Kelsey Mitchell, selected in the 2018 WNBA Draft after a historic collegiate career at Ohio State, is a key player in this achievement.

Since Mitchell has never experienced postseason play, she sought advice from an NBA player familiar with the playoff landscape.

That player was fellow Buckeye and Los Angeles Lakers star D’Angelo Russell, who has played in the postseason four times, most notably with the Lakers in recent seasons. In 2023, Russell was instrumental in the Lakers’ run to the Western Conference Finals.

Mitchell emphasized that their relationship is rooted in their Ohio State connections and expressed how valuable it was to receive guidance from him as she prepares for her first playoff experience.

“I recently talked to my close friend D’Angelo Russell. We go way back. Me and him go back to the point where we trained together at Ohio State. We kind of know each other so, from that perspective, it was good to get a conversation in regards to how [the playoffs] looked.” Mitchell said.

Kelsey Mitchell has been part of one of the most dynamic backcourts in the WNBA alongside rookie Caitlin Clark. From an offensive standpoint, the duo is as formidable as any in the league.

This season, Mitchell leads the Fever in scoring, averaging 19.6 points per game, while also contributing 2.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 0.7 steals. Since returning from the Olympic hiatus, she has emerged as one of the league’s top players.

Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) runs down the court after scoring a 3-pointer.

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The Fever are set to begin postseason play on Sunday, with their opponent yet to be announced. However, Mitchell will be crucial to Indiana’s success and their chances of advancing.