The Indiana Fever brought in Stephanie White with the objective of the former WNBA Coach of the Year tapping into Caitlin Clark’s full potential. While these two had their moments in their first year together, injuries got in the way of what would have been another memorable campaign for Clark.
The former WNBA Rookie of the Year was limited to just 13 games in 2025, averaging 16.5 points on 36.7% shooting, 5.0 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 1.6 steals, while also knocking down 2.2 triples in 31.1 minutes per contest.
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Clark dealt with multiple injuries in 2025, but it was ultimately a right groin injury that forced the Fever to shut Clark down for the remainder of the season.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts from the bench after a play made by the Las Vegas Aces.© Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
The Fever hired White as their new head coach during the past offseason as the successor of Christie Sides. White was coming off two seasons with the Connecticut Sun before she returned to Indiana, where she also served as head coach in 2015 and 2016.
White recently made a guest appearance on WNBA legend Sue Bird’s “Bird’s Eye View” podcast, and one of the main topics in their conversation centered around Clark. At one point in the show, White expressed how impressed she is with Clark’s elite work ethic.
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“With Caitlin, you know she’s a hard worker because of what she’s been able to accomplish,” White said. “But until you see that there is no wasted movements, no wasted reps, no wasted anything, you just have such level of respect for how she goes about her work every day.
“And understanding the spotlight that she’s on, understanding the weight that she carries because of who she is […] she’s literally like Taylor Swift 2.0.”
The Fever caught wind of White’s statement about the former Iowa Hawkeyes superstar, and it drew a simple reaction from the team.
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“Caitlin Clark 🤝 Taylor Swift,” the Fever posted on Instagram.
Clark is a self-professed Swiftie, which is partly why White decided to use the comparison. As the Fever coach said, Clark has the ability to compartmentalize — just like Swift. “She’s off doing everything all the time. But when she’s there, she’s working,” White added.
The good news for the Fever is that Clark is expected to make a full recovery in time for the start of the new WNBA season in May. White and Clark’s first year together was cut short, but they should be back with a vengeance come 2026.
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Related: Indiana Fever Star Lexie Hull Gets Strong Message from WNBA Amid Offseason
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 5, 2025, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
