Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White had a tremendous coaching staff behind her during this past WNBA season. They were Karima Christmas-Kelly, her partner, Austin Kelly and Briann January. Together, they coached the Fever to their first WNBA Commissioners Cup championship in July. Despite core superstar Caitlin Clark being limited to just 13 games due to multiple injuries, White and Co. were still able to lead Indiana to a 24-20 regular season record to secure the 6th playoff spot.
Shorthanded, the Fever advanced all the way to the semifinals, where they pushed the eventual champions, the Las Vegas Aces, to a hard-fought five-game series. All things considered, Fever’s 2025 campaign was commendable.
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Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White speaks during a press conference. Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
One of White’s assistants received important career news Monday. Christmas-Kelly, who has been with Fever since 2023, will return home to Houston, Texas for a very special evening. This comes after Monday’s announcement that J. Frank Dobie High School would honor Christmas-Kelly for her incredible career on the girls’ basketball team.
Christmas-Kelly shared this career-defining honor via social media.
“For the LOVE of the game. 🏀🧡🖤 11/14/25,” she wrote.
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According to the official announcement at Dobie High School, a banner will be unveiled Friday at 5 p.m. local time in honor of Christmas-Kelly, who was part of “the only girls basketball team to ever make it to state.”
Congratulations quickly poured in for the Fever assistant coach after his big career news.
“Congratulations Rima❤️❤️” commented Aliyah Boston on Instagram.
“yeahhhh Rima🙌🏽🔥” wrote freshman Makayla Timpson.
“Yesss Rimaaaa👏🏽🔥” posted Aerial Powers.
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“👏👏” Fever reacted.
“Congratulations Rima!!!” said Hall of Famer Seimone Augustus.
“🔥🔥Congratulations🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾” one user wrote.
“Most deserved!!! Congratulations!” said another.
After her time at Dobie High School, Christmas-Kelly played for the Duke Blue Devils in the NCAA from 2007 to 2011. The 6-foot forward entered the WNBA as a second-round pick in the 2011 draft.
Christmas-Kelly played 10 years in the WNBA. She wore the colors of the Washington Mystics, the Tulsa Shock/Dallas Wings and the Minnesota Lynx. Christmas-Kelly also played for the Fever for three seasons, from 2012 to 2014. She was part of Indiana’s 2012 championship-winning team.
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Christmas-Kelly holds career averages of 7.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 steals in 243 games played.
Related: ‘It was an honor’: Indiana Fever coach sends message to Kelsey Mitchell after WNBA season
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on November 12, 2025, where he first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as Favorite source by clicking here.
