Lexie Hull: From Adversity to All-Star Stardom

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Lexie Hull is ready for a do-over after a whirlwind experience at the recent All-Star Weekend. The 26-year-old guard for the Indiana Fever had less than 24 hours to prepare when fellow participant Caitlin Clark withdrew due to injury. “It was officially official at 11 p.m. on the night before,” Hull recounted. Despite a shaky start where she missed her first three shots, Hull gathered momentum and scored 20 points, falling just two shy of Kelsey Plum‘s first-round score.

The transition from college basketball at Stanford, where Hull played alongside her twin sister Lacie, to the WNBA was challenging. In her early years, she grappled with a lack of confidence and support. “There were times when I started that it was like, If I shoot, it needs to go in, because otherwise I might get benched,” she admitted. Yet, her fortunes changed after joining the Fever in 2024, where she started breaking assist records and thrilling crowds at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

By the end of the 2024 All-Star break, Hull said she let go of the fear that had held her back. “I know I’m going to get open shots,” she explained. “I don’t need to be worried about whether they go in or they don’t, because I’ve put in the work to set myself up for this.” Hull’s resilience was illustrated when she suffered two black eyes from head-to-head collisions but continued to play, illustrating her commitment to the team.

This season was fraught with challenges; the Fever lost several key players to injury, including the legendary DeWanna Bonner shortly after her departure from the team. Hull expressed the team’s confusion over Bonner’s sudden exit but highlighted how it ultimately strengthened their camaraderie. “To have no explanation was really challenging, but I think that helped us grow closer together,” she said.

Hull noted that rival teams perceived the Fever as a target, especially with the heightened attention from the media and fan support. “I think there is a level of jealousy when it comes to the Fever,” she remarked. “We’ve heard teams talking about how they can’t let the Fever win.” While this narrative is sometimes met with skepticism, Hull believes it motivates competitors.

As the Fever’s alternate player representative for the Women’s National Basketball Players Association, Hull champions equity in pay and conditions in the league. “You can be part of something and everyone not like each other,” she stated. “We can support each other while also having rivalries.” Hull emphasized the importance of respecting players while acknowledging the competitive nature of the sport.

Hull, who has shared a jersey with notable players like Clark and Angel Reese, emphasized the humanity of athletes beyond the court. “I think fans need to understand that these people aren’t just cussing at the refs. That’s not who they are off the court,” she clarified.

Despite the pressures of social media, Hull strives to remain focused on her game. “There’s no room to degrade people or speak in a way that is disrespectful,” she argues. As she looks ahead, Hull remains determined to support her teammates and fight for better conditions within the league. “I will put my body on the line and I will try everything,” she declared. “Whoever’s on your side of the line, that’s who you fight for.”