Fever Sign Justine Pissott to Development Contract

The Indiana Fever's WNBA Draft pick is the first player signed to a development deal in franchise history.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 6:18pm

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The Indiana Fever have signed their 2026 WNBA Draft pick Justine Pissott to a player development contract, the first such deal in franchise history. Pissott, a 6-foot-4 forward from Vanderbilt, was selected 25th overall by the Fever and is seen as a potential stretch big with her 42.2% shooting from 3-point range last season.

Why it matters

The development contract gives the Fever exclusive negotiating rights with Pissott for 14 days, allowing them to potentially convert her to a standard player contract if she impresses in training camp. This move signals the Fever's plans to keep Pissott around and develop her alongside their 2026 first-round pick, point guard Raven Johnson.

The details

Under the new WNBA collective bargaining agreement, teams are now permitted to carry two development players in addition to their 12-person roster. These development players can participate in practices and team activities and can be activated for up to 12 games, but do not count against the salary cap unless converted to a standard contract.

  • The Fever announced Pissott's development contract on April 17, 2026.
  • Pissott was selected 25th overall by the Fever in the 2026 WNBA Draft.

The players

Justine Pissott

A 6-foot-4 forward from Vanderbilt University, selected 25th overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2026 WNBA Draft.

Raven Johnson

The Fever's first-round pick (10th overall) in the 2026 WNBA Draft, a point guard out of the University of South Carolina.

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What they’re saying

“Justine Pissott is one of the steals of the draft & she couldn't have landed in a better spot. Justine was 7th in WCBB in 3P% at 42.2 (6.6 3PA/g). She's an ELITE shooter at 6'4', who'll play next to an ELITE playmaker in Caitlin Clark. That's a scary combo.”

— Joshua, Basketball Analyst

What’s next

The Fever will look to develop Pissott and potentially convert her development contract to a standard player deal if she impresses in training camp. The team's roster is largely set, with the final roster spot potentially coming down to a battle between Pissott and other training camp invitees.

The takeaway

The Fever's decision to sign Pissott to a development contract shows their commitment to developing young talent and building around their 2026 draft class, including first-round pick Raven Johnson. Pissott's shooting ability and size make her an intriguing prospect to pair alongside star guard Caitlin Clark.