Fever add frontcourt help with Aliyah Boston injured after Justine Pissott exit

The Indiana Fever have finally filled the developmental roster spot that opened when Justine Pissott left for the Las Vegas Aces nearly four weeks ago.

Indiana announced Friday that it signed former California forward Ugonne “Michelle” Onyiah to a Player Development contract. The 6-foot-3 Onyiah joins second-year guard Bree Hall as the Fever’s two developmental players.

The move gives Indiana another option in the frontcourt while All-Star forward-center Aliyah Boston continues to deal with a lower-leg injury. Onyiah went undrafted following a five-year college career at California and has yet to appear in a WNBA game. She has continued developing overseas and in the United States, however, and now receives her first opportunity with a WNBA organization.

Who is new Fever forward Michelle Onyiah?

Onyiah played for Belgian club Basket Namur Capitale during the 2025-26 season, averaging 11.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. She most recently appeared for the Charlotte Crown in the newly created Upshot League. Onyiah averaged 9.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game during the 2026 season.

Her rebounding and size could make her especially useful for a Fever team currently navigating uncertainty in its frontcourt.

As a developmental player, Onyiah can practice and travel with Indiana while participating in other team activities. She can also be activated for as many as 12 games.

That flexibility could become important if Boston’s injury lingers or the Fever encounter additional health issues during the second half of the season.

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Why the Fever did not keep Justine Pissott

Pissott left Indiana after receiving a standard contract offer from Las Vegas. The Fever held the right to match the offer but declined to do so because retaining her would have required them to waive another player. Fever coach Stephanie White previously explained that Indiana wanted to keep rookie Grace VanSlooten and veteran center Damiris Dantas.

“First and foremost, they’re great culture players, great culture teammates, they’re going to be ready when their number is called,” White said.

White also praised VanSlooten’s long-term potential as a power forward and Dantas’ ability to remain prepared for specific lineups and matchups. The decision immediately drew attention after Pissott delivered a breakout performance in her Aces debut. She scored 17 points in only 10 minutes against the Phoenix Mercury on July 11, making five of her six attempts from beyond the arc.

That performance prompted questions about whether Indiana had made a mistake by allowing the former first-round pick to leave. However, the Fever’s decision was tied to roster construction rather than a lack of belief in Pissott. Onyiah is not being added to the same standard roster spot Pissott received from Las Vegas. Her developmental contract allows Indiana to add depth without sacrificing VanSlooten, Dantas or another member of its active roster.

Nearly four weeks after Pissott’s departure, the Fever now have another young forward they can evaluate while addressing an immediate need behind Boston.

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