The first by Stephanie White WNBA season as head coach of Indiana fever was full of twists and turns. The centerpiece of the team, the superstar point guard Caitlin Clarkbegan battling injuries in the preseason and only played in 13 games in the regular season.
The difficult circumstances continued in the form of veteran DeWanna Bonner dropping out, a family emergency for White, and a total of five season-ending injuries by the time the playoffs arrived. Yet the Fever’s 2025 season ended with a franchise-record 24 wins and a memorable run to the WNBA playoff semifinals. In his exit interview, White said the season could be summed up in one word: “resilience.”
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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark talks with head coach Stephanie White. © Emily Faith Morgan-Imagn Images
Among the things the head coach didn’t expect when she joined the Connecticut Sun was the attitude she’s seen daily from Clark this year. White previously enjoyed Clark’s achievementsbut she said she didn’t fully realize everything Clark was going through until she saw him in person.
“With Caitlin, you know she works hard because of what she’s been able to accomplish,” White said on the show latest episode of Sue Bird’s “Bird’s Eye View” podcast. “But until you see there are no wasted movements, no wasted reps, nothing wasted, you just have such a level of respect for the way she goes about her job every day.”
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This kind of work ethic is the foundation of all WNBA players. What struck White was how Clark handled this while handling the responsibilities that come with being the face of the league and the sport. It reminded him of the kind of dedication usually reserved for world stars of music or cinema.
“Understanding the attention that she carries, the weight that she carries because of who she is, she is literally like Taylor Swift 2.0,” White said. “Somehow she’s able to compartmentalize and come to the gym, do whatever she needs to do. She does everything all the time. But when she is there, she works. »
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It’s a comparison that would flatter Clark, who considers herself a Swift fan and attended two of his “Eras Tour” shows. The 23-year-old has continued her busy schedule this offseason, balancing speeches with recovery from an injury and a little time spent on the golf course.
While concerns persist whether or not there will be a WNBA season In 2026, Clark is currently preparing for the upcoming USA Basketball Women’s National Team training camp in Durham, North Carolina, December 12-14.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on December 5, 2025, where he first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as Favorite source by clicking here.
