The Indiana Fever have faced numerous roster issues throughout the 2025 WNBA season. From the DeWanna Bonner saga to multiple hardship contract replacements for Caitlin Clark, the team has struggled throughout the year without a consistent roster. Just when things seemed to settle down after the All-Star Break, Aari-McDonald and Sydney Colson’s injuries forced them to change the roster. And now, after Sophie Cunningham’s season-ending injury, the Fever have signed Shey Peddy to a 7-day hardship contract.

Shey Peddy is the third guard that the Indiana Fever has recently signed. First, it was 12-year veteran Odyssey Sims. A few days later, the team signed rookie Kyra Lambert to a hardship contract. While Odyssey Sims now seems to have been settled in her role with the team, Lambert did not even play a minute for the Indiana Fever and was recently released. Upon releasing her, the team signed Shey Peddy to cover the loss of Sophie Cunningham.

Known for her defense and versatility, Shey Peddy is a veteran in the WNBA. Drafted by the Indiana Fever in the second round of the 2012 draft, she played six years in the WNBA and many seasons of international basketball. On paper, she seems like a good pickup to replace Sophie Cunningham. However, there is a sense of unease amongst the Indiana Fever fans about her signing. Interestingly, this sense of unease has nothing to do with her play. It’s to do with her height. Standing at 5 feet 7 inches, Shey is considered short for her position by many Indiana Fever fans.

Many Indiana Fever fans have taken to social media to show their discontent with the team’s recent addition. Some have even suggested alternative signings the Fever could have made instead of Shey Peddy.

Fans’ reaction to the Indiana Fever signing Shey Peddy

Ever since the Indiana Fever announced Shey Peddy’s signing on a 7-day hardship contract, fans have given strong reactions. While there are many reasons why they are unhappy with the situation, a recurring theme seems to be concern about the team’s height.

A fan replied to Indiana’s announcement, “5’7” 36 year OLD point guard? Why?” This was a common sentiment from many fans. What’s surprising is that the Fever recently released Kyra Lambert, who is both younger and taller than Peddy. Many fans would have preferred some more time to try Kyra Lambert before signing an older and shorter replacement. During her hardship contract, Lambert only made a single garbage-time appearance for 5 seconds.

Comments around concerns about her height kept pouring in, with another fan asking, “Why do they keep signing short, older players? We need tall, young players.” If we look at the numbers, the Indiana Fever have two guards above the average height for guards in the entire WNBA. With the league average being 5 feet 10 inches, the Fever have just Caitlin Clark (6 feet) and Lexie Hull (6 feet 1 inch) above that mark.

With Caitlin Clark injured and showing no immediate signs of coming back, the Fever need height in the back court. Even more so after losing the 6-foot-1-inch Sophie Cunningham. The jabs toward the Fever organization continue with another fan saying, “🤯ohh man 😮‍💨… are we in the business of giving old short guards a retirement home 😔.” This particular jab was not only against Shey Peddy’s signing but also Odyssey Sims’. She is also a below-average height guard with a listed height of just 5 feet 8 inches.

Another fan commented, saying, “Wth is this addiction to the old and small pg’s? 😤Lost a 6’2” guard and you replace her with a 5’7” guard? You already struggling to get those rebounds and here y’all signing a smaller pg 😤.” While sent in frustration, this reaction does make a lot of sense. As of now, the Indiana Fever are averaging 33.8 rebounds per game, which is ninth in the league. This is relatively low for a team wishing to compete for a championship.

Sure, adding height is no guarantee of a team being good at rebounding. Take the Golden State Warriors, for example. Always lacking a pure tall center, the Warriors were almost at the top of the team rebounding charts. However, they had the advantage of a consistent roster and team chemistry for most years. This year, the Indiana Fever does not have that luxury.

It will be interesting to see how Shey Peddy adjusts to the Indiana Fever. She does not have a lot of time to adjust, as just 10 games are remaining in the regular season. Will she be able to fit in and carve out a role for herself?