The Indiana Fever has appointed Stephanie White as head coach, replacing Christie Sides in a move that brings White‘s experience and enthusiasm back to the team.

White, who helped lead the Fever to their first WNBA championship as an assistant coach in 2012, returns with high hopes of guiding the team toward another title.

Known for her admiration of rookie Caitlin Clark, White has already begun championing Clark’s talent, setting the stage for an exciting new chapter in Indiana.

In a recent interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, White expressed her excitement to be back with the Fever, a franchise deeply rooted in her basketball career.

“First and foremost it’s home,” White explained. She added that the Indiana Fever and Indiana Pacers are “in my DNA,” reflecting her long-standing ties with Indiana, where she played for Purdue University and then for the Fever as a player before becoming part of their coaching staff.

White also noted, “Think about a generational player in Caitlin Clark, back-to-back rookie of the year with Aliyah Boston, and then Kelsey Mitchell… I think had the best year of her career.” White sees tremendous potential in this young roster, describing the opportunity as “incredible.”

The Fever have proven themselves as a rising team, especially after winning eight out of their last 10 games post-Olympics. This talented lineup, affectionately called the “three-headed snake” by fans, includes Clark, Boston, and Mitchell, all of whom have made a significant impact on the team’s performance.

With White‘s guidance, the Fever aims to build on their recent success and capitalize on the strong chemistry that these players share on the court.

White‘s passion for this new role is palpable, and she speaks of it as a true homecoming. “What an outstanding moment we have in women’s basketball right now. I am thankful and grateful for it,” White told ESPN.

In another interview with Indiana’s Scott Agnes, she shared, “Every time I came back to Indiana, it just always felt like coming home. And now I am coming home, and it’s just such an incredible opportunity.”

White’s Confidence in Caitlin Clark’s Potential

White has never been shy about her admiration for Caitlin Clark. Since Clark‘s college days, White has consistently praised her for her growth and dedication, describing her as “W-ready” from the beginning.

“She’s a student of the game, she loves the game of basketball, she has been so great with how she’s handled all of the attention. She just wants to play, she just wants to win,” White said recently, adding that she has followed Clark‘s progress since she was in eighth grade.

White sees Clark‘s arrival as an incredible asset for the Fever and believes her skill set can make an impact on the WNBA just as it did in college.

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White’s connection with Clark and her excitement about coaching this young, talented roster are palpable, and Fever fans can anticipate a competitive season ahead.

With White at the helm and the Fever’s emerging talent, this new era holds a promise of a title run that could bring Indiana another WNBA championship.