Since both Aari McDonald and Sydney Colson suffered season-ending injuries, the Fever had to bring in new players. By now, this is a familiar process for the Fever. They signed Aari McDonald and Chloe Bibbby to hardship contracts earlier in the season and kept both around. This time, they added Odyssey Sims and Kyra Lambert.
Sims is well known in WNBA circles and was one of the best guards available so late in the season after being waived by the Sparks. Lambert is a bit more of a mystery. She graduated from the University of Texas in 2021 and has been playing overseas ever since. She didn’t have an opportunity to play in the WNBA.
After Lambert’s first practice with the Fever, Stephanie White offered a comparison that should help fans better understand what Lambert can bring to the table.
When asked what made Lambert a good fit with the Fever, White said, “Well, I think number one, her preparation…she’s been watching the team, she’s been studying what we’re doing…reminds me a bit of Aari [McDonald] when she came in and really already kind of had some of the playbook down. Her ability to get downhill. She’s got some speed and quickness as well.”
Kyra Lambert last played in Greece
Lambert spent the 2024-25 season in Europe, playing for the Greek club Olympiacos. Over 26 games in the Greek league, she averaged 8.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.5 steals. She rarely turned the ball over, averaging only 1.5 turnovers per game, and led the Greek league in assists per game. She also scored efficiently on two-pointers. Threes weren’t her strength, as she only converted 12 of her 46 attempts.
Over five EuroLeague games, Lambert went up against plenty of WNBA talent this past season. She played two games against CBK Mersin, which featured Natasha Howard, Bridget Carleton, Iliana Rupert, Marine Johannes, and Karlie Samuelson.
Lambert will need some time to adjust to her new surroundings
While Lambert has plenty of experience playing professional basketball and has prepared herself well to join the Fever, it will take her some time to adjust to her new surroundings. Playing in Europe is different than playing in the WNBA, and joining a team while it is preparing for the playoffs is not an easy thing to do. Plus, Lambert has had little time to practice with the Fever.
So, she might not see the court too much when the Fever face the Mystics this Friday. Sims only played 13 minutes off the bench in her first game with the Fever. With Kelsey Mitchell and Sophie Cunningham able to share point guard responsibilities in the starting lineup and Aliyah Boston’s ability to make plays, the Fever have little pressure to overtax their new players until they are more comfortable with the team.
However, if Lambert is able to live up to the comparison to McDonald, she should quickly prove herself to be an interesting addition to the roster.