After the Indiana Fever’s preseason win against the Dallas Wings on Saturday, guard Erica Wheeler proposed to her girlfriend Danielle Edwards in a surprise engagement ceremony.
“She’s the one, man. When you know, you know, and I have that feeling,” Wheeler said ahead of the proposal.
In a video posted to the Indiana Fever’s Twitter account, Wheeler is shown directing her teammates, coaches, and family members into place.
“I don’t want her to see me as she’s coming in,” Wheeler explained. “She’s already nosy. She suspects something.”
After Edwards — a Clemson basketball alum who now works as an assistant coach for the SMU Mustangs — said ‘yes,’ celebration ensued.
“So proud of you,” new Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides told Wheeler as she gave the 5’7 guard a big hug. “What a day to do this. What a big day!”
Wheeler and Sides have a long history working together. After Sides was hired as Indiana Fever’s new head coach in November 2022, she said her biggest priority was getting Wheeler, then a free agent, to sign with her rookie-filled team.
“When I got this job, she was No. 1 on my list,” Sides told the IndyStar. “I was happy she didn’t have a contract. She was up. It was just perfect timing.”
Sides previously coached Wheeler as an assistant for the Fever during the 2018 and 2019 WNBA seasons, and then again in 2022 as an assistant for the Atlanta Dream. During the 2019 season, Wheeler became the first undrafted player to be named WNBA All-Star MVP.
“She’s just got that experience and she can talk to people,” Sides explained. “It was just really important to get someone like her and her energy. Her energy in the locker room. Her energy out here, it makes a huge difference.”
when you know, you know.
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) May 14, 2023
Erica Wheeler proposed to her girlfriend Danielle after our win tonight. 💍 pic.twitter.com/0xoAUa2XKf