The Indiana Fever are beginning a new chapter with Caitlin Clark entering her second season in the WNBA. This shift in direction includes a significant change in leadership, as the team has appointed 2023 WNBA Coach of the Year, Stephanie White, to take over as head coach. White succeeds Christie Sides and brings fresh perspectives and an emphasis on growth for the young roster, especially for their standout point guard, Caitlin Clark.
During a recent interview on the “Coaching U” podcast with NBA veteran coach Brendan Suhr, White shared her approach to coaching one of the league’s brightest stars. When asked about how she plans to handle such a talented player, White revealed her first interaction with Clark, which set the tone for their future work together. The conversation centered around Clark’s aspirations for improvement, with White simply asking, “How do you want to improve? What are some of the areas you want to work on?”
Clark, at just 22 years old, has already proven herself as one of the league’s top players, yet White recognizes that there’s always room for growth, even for someone as accomplished as Clark. The young star, formerly of Iowa, has shown immense promise, but her coach is focused on fine-tuning her skills to reach new heights. According to White, identifying and addressing these areas of improvement is key to both Clark’s individual development and the overall success of the team.
White’s hiring reflects the Fever’s commitment to cultivating Clark’s potential, with the former player-turned-coach keen to enhance her game. “I talked to her about how I think we can use her to help her be more efficient, help her be more effective,” White said. She also emphasized the importance of Clark evolving into a more well-rounded leader. “Now it’s about becoming not just a great player but becoming a great leader for this team,” White noted. The goal, as White sees it, is for Clark to guide the Fever to not only a championship but multiple titles in the future.
This focus on leadership and efficiency marks a new phase for the Fever and a promising outlook for Caitlin Clark’s continued rise in the WNBA. As White and Clark work together, their shared vision could propel the Indiana Fever toward success, both in individual and team achievements.
