Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston have the opportunity to give their Indiana Fever teammate Lexie Hull a memorable birthday surprise. On September 13, Hull turned 27, coinciding with Team USA’s gold medal match against France at the 2026 FIBA World Cup. While Hull eagerly awaited updates from her national team, the Fever made sure to kick off her special day by sharing birthday wishes on their social media platforms.
“Happy birthday to Lexie Hull. Join us in wishing her a HBD,” the Indiana Fever posted on their X account. The WNBA also recognized Hull’s birthday with a similar message, celebrating her as the 2025 Commissioner’s Cup Champion.
Hull played a key role in the Fever’s 2025 Commissioner’s Cup victory, stepping up while Caitlin Clark was sidelined due to injury. In that championship game against the Minnesota Lynx, Hull contributed six points in 15 minutes, connecting on two of three three-point attempts, helping secure the title for her team.
Just days before her birthday, Hull made a significant move off the court by launching FORTA Cosmetics, a performance beauty brand she started with former Stanford roommate Sarah Guller. Their goal was to create makeup that withstands active lifestyles, catering especially to athletes, busy professionals, and anyone constantly on the go.
“We wanted makeup that could really keep up with active lives,” Hull told Sporting News. “Whether you’re running errands, a professional athlete like me training hard, or hopping from meeting to meeting, you want to feel beautiful and confident.”
Hull’s inspiration for starting FORTA came from her own struggles with traditional cosmetic products during her athletic career. Both Hull and Guller, who maintains a rigorous workout routine, desired beauty products that successfully merge performance with aesthetics.
For Hull, basketball is her main focus, but she also craves creative outlets beyond the sport. Having her name attached to FORTA was important in building consumer trust. “Being an athlete gives me a platform, but being a founder is even more rewarding because I’m involved in every aspect of the brand,” she said. “I didn’t want to just lend my name; I wanted to build it from scratch.”
Currently, FORTA offers products like Lock & Go Setting Spray, PR Proof Lip Stain, and The Sponge. The Setting Spray sold out on its first day, and Hull expects other items to perform well too. She envisions growing a strong team around her company so it can thrive independently of her celebrity.
“Hopefully, in five years, FORTA will be known for its quality, not just because an athlete started it,” Hull shared. “I want it to stand on its own in the beauty market.”
Drafted sixth overall by the Indiana Fever in 2022 after her Stanford career, Hull has become a vital member of the team, especially after Caitlin Clark joined in 2024. She’s now a fixture in the Fever’s starting lineup.
A fun tidbit about Hull is that she shares her birthday with her twin sister Lacie, who was also her teammate at Stanford.
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Fan Take: Lexie Hull’s dual success as a rising WNBA star and entrepreneur highlights the expanding influence players have beyond the court, inspiring fans and young athletes alike. This blend of on-court talent and off-court innovation showcases the evolving landscape of women’s sports, promising greater visibility and opportunity for WNBA players in the future.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
