When the Indiana Fever chose Lexie Hull with the No. 6 pick in the WNBA draft, it wasn’t just fans who were stunned—Lexie herself was taken by surprise. Hull, a standout guard from Stanford, was anticipated to go in later rounds, and the pick brought astonishment to her family watching the draft unfold. Her mother, Jaime Hull, recorded every pick on TV just in case, with Lexie’s twin sister, Lacie, even joking about how long they might be waiting. Then, to everyone’s delight, Hull’s name flashed across the screen far sooner than expected.

Though not entirely surprised by Lexie’s talent, Lacie and her family were taken aback by how high the Fever had placed their trust in her. “With the projections and expectations that are built up on social media, we definitely were surprised,” Lacie shared. “It was like, ‘Oh my God, are you kidding? This is insane.’”

For Lacie, who has played alongside Lexie since they were children, no one better understands the value Lexie brings to her team. “Competitiveness can’t be boiled down to stats,” Lacie explained. “She pushes everyone she plays with and against to be better… she’s gonna make her presence known just by the competitive spirit that she has.”

Lexie’s journey to this point has been one marked by resilience. Born six weeks premature and weighing just 4 ½ pounds, Lexie and Lacie grew up with a natural competitive edge, whether on the basketball court or in academics. The two were practically inseparable, fueling each other’s passion and progress through their years at Stanford. Lexie went on to achieve numerous academic accolades, including the Senior CLASS Award, all while maintaining her fierce dedication on the court.

Stanford’s associate head coach, Kate Paye, describes Lexie’s approach as “no-holds-barred.” “She has no fear,” Paye said. “She’s just gonna go hard.” A consistent starter in nearly every game since her sophomore season, Hull’s scoring and defensive skills have steadily improved over time, particularly her defensive prowess, which saw her leading Stanford with 78 steals last season. “She would oftentimes guard the opposing team’s best player,” Paye said. “She’s probably highly underrated as a defensive player.” Hull’s versatility and defensive ability add layers of potential to her new role with the Fever.

Hull’s offensive capabilities have also caught attention. During a Team USA exhibition game, she held her own against some of the top players, scoring fearlessly and proving she could handle the physical demands of professional play. Her performance in college was peppered with moments of brilliance, including a 36-point game against Kansas in the Sweet 16 and a 20-point outing in the national semifinal against Texas. For the Fever, Hull’s ability to shoot consistently was key to their selection. The Fever front office praised her as “the best pure shooter” in the draft, believing her competitiveness and scoring ability to be essential assets.

The Fever also hope that Hull can help revive an offense that struggled last season, ranking near the bottom in both field goal and 3-point percentages. Hull, who shot 39% from behind the arc as a senior, aligns with their vision. “They wanted someone who was competitive, who hated to lose, who worked hard every possession, and who could shoot the ball,” Hull said. “My entire time at Stanford, those are the things that I loved doing.” Fever coach Marianne Stanley echoed this, saying that Hull’s extensive experience and skillset make her “no doubt” a first-round talent.

Yet stepping into her professional life has presented an emotional adjustment for Lexie. For the first time, she’s on the court without Lacie by her side, marking the start of an entirely new chapter for both sisters. “It’s crazy that I’m in the gym now and she’s not here,” Lexie admitted. Lacie echoed this sentiment, describing it as both challenging and exciting. “Usually when we’re apart, I know what she’s doing. But it’s so exciting because she’s on an entirely new frontier.”

While Hull isn’t facing pressure from the Fever to justify her position as a first-round pick, she’s more than ready to prove herself. “I just hope I can prove that’s the right decision,” she said. By bringing her relentless work ethic and competitive drive, Hull is determined to make her mark on the Indiana Fever and leave no doubt that she was the right choice.