Damiris Dantas, a veteran player for the Indiana Fever, is set to miss a portion of the 2025 WNBA season. This isn't due to injury or a trade, but rather a commitment to her national team. Dantas has been named to the Brazilian national team's roster for the 2025 FIBA Women's AmeriCup, which will be held from June 28 to July 6 in Santiago, Chile.

This means that Dantas will be leaving the Fever temporarily to represent Brazil, the defending champions, in this international tournament. She is expected to depart a few days before the tournament officially begins. The team will begin training camp on June 15 in São Paulo, Brazil. However, Dantas, along with Kamilla Cardoso of the Chicago Sky, will join the team directly in Santiago ahead of the tournament due to their WNBA commitments.

The FIBA Women's AmeriCup is a significant tournament, serving as the Americas Women's Basketball Championship. It takes place every two years and features national teams from North, Central, and South America. Moreover, it acts as a qualifying tournament for the FIBA Women's World Cup and the Olympic Games, adding further importance to Dantas' participation.

Dantas is likely to miss at least four Fever games due to her AmeriCup commitment. Specifically, she will probably be absent for the games against the Dallas Wings on June 27, the Las Vegas Aces on July 3, and the Los Angeles Sparks on July 5. Given the travel time and potential preparation needed, she may also miss additional games leading up to and immediately following the tournament.

Dantas' absence creates a frontcourt depth issue for the Indiana Fever. She has been a valuable contributor, averaging 4 points and 2.9 rebounds in approximately 11.4 minutes per game across seven games this season. Her most recent performance against the Washington Mystics saw her contribute eight points and four rebounds in 17 minutes, highlighting her potential impact.

The Fever have already been dealing with injuries to key players like Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham. To address these backcourt absences, the team previously signed Aari McDonald using a hardship exception. However, McDonald, a guard, doesn't address the need for frontcourt support with Dantas gone.

With Dantas' departure and DeWanna Bonner's absence due to personal reasons, the Fever's roster depth is further tested. This situation might lead the Fever to seek another hardship exception, potentially signing a forward to bolster their frontcourt. To be eligible for a hardship exception, a team must have fewer than 10 players available due to injuries or other extenuating circumstances.

The WNBA season is a considerable commitment, and for international players like Dantas, balancing their WNBA duties with obligations to their national teams can present challenges. The decision to allow players to leave mid-season for international tournaments has sparked debate, with some questioning the fairness to WNBA teams and the potential impact on team momentum.

Dantas signed a 2-year contract with the Indiana Fever worth $197,100, with an average annual salary of $98,550. In 2025, her base salary is $100,000, which counts against the team's salary cap.