May 6, 2022
2020 WNBA Rookie of the Year Crystal Dangerfield has been signed by the Indiana Fever on a hardship exception contract. Dangerfield will wear No. 2 – the same number she wore for the Minnesota Lynx – in today's regular-season opener in D.C against the Washington Mystics.
The 5-foot-5 guard and five other players were waived by the Minnesota Lynx earlier this week. The cuts of Dangerfield, Yvonne Turner, Rennia Davis, Kayla Jones, Hannah Sjerven, and veteran guard Layshia Clarendon were announced alongside the signing of guard Odyssey Sims.
Cuts in the WNBA have grown harsher over the years and continue to signal something's got to give. Yet, at the 2022 WNBA Draft, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert remarks suggested the league is not moving towards roster expansion, salary increases, nor expansion anytime soon.
Dangerfield averaged 7.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists last season. During her 2020 Dangerfield ranked second among rookies (11th overall) in scoring and assists (3.6 assists per game). Indiana will carry 10 active players, including Dangerfield for the season opener against the Washington Mystics.