The playing style of Stephanie White’s Indiana Fever remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the former Connecticut Sun coach knew how to outplay the 2024 Fever.**
Connecticut defeated Indiana in five of their six matchups this season, including a two-game sweep in the first round of the WNBA playoffs.
“Facing her teams, I always felt they had the best scouting reports against us,” Fever star Caitlin Clark said Monday. “That speaks to her understanding of the game and her analytical approach. She clearly had our number. Hopefully, now that she knows how to stop us, she can use that insight to help us counter other teams.” 
White, officially reintroduced as the Fever’s head coach on Monday, acknowledged that preparing for Indiana—particularly its fast pace with Clark running the offense—was no easy task.
“They were always tough to plan for because of how well they scored,” White said. “I was particularly worried about their pace, transition play, 3-point shooting, and floor spacing. A big part of our game plan was deciding what types of shots we were okay with giving them. Now, it’s about applying that knowledge to help us improve.”
White’s ties to Indiana run deep. A West Lebanon native and Miss Indiana Basketball from Seeger High School, she won a national championship with Purdue in 1999. She played for the Fever from their inaugural season in 2000 through 2004 and later served as an assistant coach (2011-15) and head coach (2015-16).
“I think we all know how brilliant she is as a basketball mind, but also how much of a legend she is here in Indiana,” Clark said. “It’s pretty special to have her back.”
White’s new role involves maximizing the talents of Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, both No. 1 overall draft picks and former Rookies of the Year. Along with Kelsey Mitchell, they form what the Fever consider the franchise’s foundation.
Clark and Boston’s chemistry, as starting point guard and center, is crucial to the team’s success.
“You’ve got the ideal cornerstones—a point guard and a center,” White said. “Their synergy improved so much from the start of the season to the end. They’re already great, but there’s significant room for growth. I’m excited to help them take that next step.”
Boston echoed the excitement. “There’s nothing better than playing for a coach who’s ready to pour into us and recognizes our potential,” she said. “I can’t wait to get back on the court.”
White has been part of two of Indiana’s three WNBA Finals appearances. She served as an assistant during the Fever’s 2012 championship run under Lin Dunn and as head coach in 2015, when they fell to Minnesota in five games.
Since then, postseason success has eluded the franchise. White’s return brings renewed hope of rekindling that past glory.
“To have someone so passionate about being here is inspiring,” Fever guard Lexie Hull said. “She’s committed to bringing us back to the top. That’s exciting for all of us, and we’re ready to see what we can achieve with her leadership.”