Indiana Fever forward Lexie Hull recently shared a glimpse into Caitlin Clark’s experience under former coach Christie Sides, shedding light on the special treatment Clark received during her rookie season. With record-breaking performances, Clark, the Fever’s first overall draft pick, helped lead the team back to the WNBA playoffs for the first time since 2016. Yet despite the Fever’s remarkable season, they fell in the first playoff round, prompting management to part ways with Sides to bring the team closer to a championship.
As rumors swirl about former Fever coach Stephanie White stepping into the role, Hull reminisced about a humorous moment from practice on *The Ringer WNBA Show.* When asked for stories about Clark, Hull recalled, “There was one practice when Christie turned up the music really loud, preparing us for the noisy arenas. Caitlin just yelled out, ‘Can someone turn it off? It’s giving me a migraine!’ We all froze, then Christie asked, ‘What did you say?’ Caitlin repeated it, and everyone was in stitches because it was something no one else would dare say, let alone repeat.”
Clark’s candid outburst may have amused her teammates, but Sides appeared to take it in stride, allowing her star rookie a degree of leniency. Sides guided the Fever to the playoffs, coaching every one of the team’s 42 games, though they ultimately fell to the Connecticut Sun. The Fever’s decision to release Sides, despite her leading the team to their first playoff berth in seven years, leaves fans wondering if Clark will find a similar rapport with a new coach.
As Clark hones her golf skills in the offseason, Hull is set to join the inaugural season of the innovative Unrivaled 3v3 league, a venture launched by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. Unrivaled’s first season, which promises to redefine women’s basketball, will tip off in January, showcasing Hull and other top players in a fast-paced format.
