Indiana Fever re-sign restricted free agents Shenise Johnson and Lynetta Kizer

The Indiana Fever re-signed restricted free agents Shenise Johnson and Lynetta Kizer. Both were signed to multi-year contracts. Per team policy, terms of the contracts are not disclosed.

From the Fever:

Johnson and Kizer both were instrumental in helping guide Indiana to the WNBA Finals in 2015, with Johnson starting 27 games for the Fever and Kizer 14. Johnson posted the finest season of her young career while averaging 10.9 points per game in the regular season, and 12.4 in the playoffs. Kizer’s 8.3 points per game in the regular season also were a career high, helping steady Indiana’s post rotation despite injuries and absences.

“I am happy to have both Shenise and Lynetta back in Indiana,” said Fever president and general manager Kelly Krauskopf. “They drew a lot of interest from other teams as they have continued to improve and grow into top level players.”

Added Fever head coach Stephanie White, “I’m thrilled that both Shenise and Lynetta will be back. They were obviously big pieces for us last season and both have continued to grow and develop throughout their young careers.”

Johnson, a 5-11 combo guard, has played four WNBA seasons and joined the Fever last year following a trade with San Antonio. She was a top candidate for the league’s Most Improved Player Award, establishing new career highs in scoring, rebounds (4.9) and assists (2.4). Her career-best 41.3 percent shooting from 3-point range was third in the WNBA.

Similarly, Kizer, a 6-4 power forward, was acquired in a trade with Phoenix in 2014. Her second season with Indiana produced the most significant playing time of her career, playing in more games (33) and more minutes (18.1 per game) than any previous season. Kizer was a starter for nearly half of the 2015 season, posting career-high averages in points and rebounds (3.5).