'It's insane how the welcome has been': New Indiana Fever players embraced in Indy

INDIANAPOLIS — DeWanna Bonner hasn't gotten out much since moving to Indianapolis a week-and-a-half ago, but the veteran guard/forward says she can't go anywhere without being recognized. Just the other day Bonner was buying fruit at Kroger when a few Indiana Fever fans welcomed her to town and expressed their excitement for the upcoming season.

"It's insane how the welcome has been," Bonner said during preseason media day Wednesday. The 15-year veteran and two-time WNBA champion signed a one-year deal with the Fever in February.

"It's just really refreshing being here," she continued. "You never know how it's going to go when you start with a new team, new organization but it's been phenomenal. … The eyes are on you here and the lights are bright."

Bonner said the support from Fever fans has been unique from her previous spots, and the passion has certainly been felt by a few of the team's other newcomers, as well.

Sophie Cunningham was traded to Indiana from the Phoenix Mercury earlier this year and while the Missouri graduate has not gotten any M-I-Z's yet (as a Missouri-native myself, this disappoints me) but she's had plenty of folks coming up to tell her how excited they are for the season. "I'm all for it." 

Brianna Turner — a 2011 first-round pick out of Notre Dame, who also signed with the Fever in February — wins the award for most niche interactions. She's been to Costco a few times and "every time I go to Costco, somebody recognizes."

"I don't know what it is about there, but Costco shoppers love Indiana Fever players," Turner said.

The Indiana Fever play their first preseason game Saturday against the Washington Mystics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Fever newcomers on how they've been treated in Indy