When Makayla “KK” Timpson left Florida State University following the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) women’s basketball season, she did so as one of the most decorated players in Seminoles history.
The 6-foot-2 forward departed Tallahassee, Fla., with school records in rebounds (1,094) and double-doubles (47) during her collegiate career, along with back-to-back All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) First-Team honors.
Drafted 19th overall by the Indiana Fever in April, Timpson entered the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) as part of a young roster with plenty of depth, headlined by No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark and three-time WNBA All-Star Kelsey Mitchell. Though her role was limited, Timpson turned heads with her defensive presence, hustle and consistency while on the court.
With FSU, Timpson played a prominent role for the program as they made the NCAA Division I women’s basketball tournament every season during her four-year tenure. Across those four seasons, she averaged 13 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game while anchoring the ‘Noles’ frontcourt. Her length and agility made her one of the ACC’s premier players.
In her rookie campaign, Timpson averaged 2.6 points and 1.8 rebounds per game in limited minutes. However, she’s earned praise for her defense, energy and preparation — qualities that have impressed both teammates and coaches.
“She’s really done a great job of staying ready,” Fever head coach Stephanie White said in a press conference after the game. “We talk a lot about staying ready so you don’t have to get ready. KK’s been ready and she continues to get better.”
Timpson’s strengths include her ability to switch onto guards, protect the rim and rebound in traffic. Those qualities have made her a valuable piece in Indiana’s rotation when her number is called. Timpson illustrated her strengths during her 14-point, 22-minute performance en route to a Fever win on July 27 against the Chicago Sky.
“I just want to do what I need to do on the court, I’m always staying ready and just doing the things my team needs me to do,” Timpson said after the July 27 win. “I’ve just been pretty good on defense, just making sure that’s my anchor, you know, and just rebounding, running, just doing the little things I can do to just stay on the court.”
Timpson’s belief in her defensive ability is validated in the three ACC All-Defensive Team selections (2023-25) she earned during her collegiate career. She became the seventh player in conference history to record a 100-block season as a senior.
“I think she’s been tremendous,” Clark said in a press conference. “The athleticism that she has, she blocks shots, she gets her hands in passing lanes. She’s going to be a great asset for us as we go forward here and I’m just really proud of her.”
Timpson’s growth has come amid a resurgence for Indiana. After years of rebuilding, the team finished the 2025 regular season with a 24-20 record — their first winning season in a decade.
The Fever reached the WNBA Semifinals before they fell to the eventual WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces in five games. Indiana also claimed its first-ever Commissioner’s Cup title, signaling a turning point for the franchise.
The success has been built on a mix of star power and depth. With Clark’s playmaking, Mitchell’s scoring and a supporting class that includes rookies like Timpson, the Fever have emerged as one of the league’s most promising young teams. Even in limited minutes, Timpson’s defense and energy helped sustain the team’s success.
Timpson’s story serves as motivation for current players in the locker room for the Garnet and Gold. She’s now a part of a long lineage of Seminoles competing at the highest level. As she continues to evolve in the WNBA, Timpson remains grounded by what helped her get drafted in the first place: defend, rebound and always stay ready.
Francisco Garcia is a Staff Writer for the FSView & Florida Flambeau, the student-run, independent online news service for the FSU community. Email our staff at contact@fsview.com.
This article originally appeared on FSU News: From the Tuck to the pros: Makayla Timpson’s rookie season with the Indiana Fever
Reporting by Francisco Garcia, Staff Writer / FSU News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
