Stephanie White shares Caitlin Clark phone call before Indiana Fever appointment

After parting ways with Christie Sides, Connecticut Sun head coach Stephanie White will take the reins in Indianapolis and she has already spoken with superstar Caitlin Clark

Incoming Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White has revealed that she has already spoken with Caitlin Clark ahead of her appointment, as she dubbed the starlet a “generational talent”.

The Indianapolis outfit parted company with Christie Sides last month following two campaigns with the coach departing having posted a 33-47 regular season record. The highlight of her spell came last term as she led her team to a first post-season appearance since 2016.

The Fever’s charge eventually ran aground in the first round via a defeat against the Connecticut Sun – with this proving to be Sides’ last involvement as head coach. Now, it appears that Indiana chiefs have found their successor in the form of their playoff scourge as Connecticut helmswoman White returns to Indiana.

Having previously served in both a player and coaching capacity with the Fever, the team’s new head coach was brimming with excitement as she looked forward to working alongside Clark. She said: “I spoke with Caitlin last night, and I think it’s just overall excitement,” as the Rookie of the Year responded on social media, saying: “Fevvvvvv shooowwwwwww.”

White’s enthusiasm comes as she revealed she has followed the point guard’s career closely since her high school days, saying: “I have been watching Caitlin play since she was an eighth grader, when I was coaching at the college realm and covering her games in college. Just an exciting time for me. Very excited to be working with her and with this young team.”

The departing Connecticut coach did not stop there either, as she waxed lyrical at the talent she has at her disposal after landing her new post. She told ESPN’s NBA Today: “You think about a generational player in Caitlin Clark, back-to-back rookies of the year with Aliyah Boston.”

“Kelsey Mitchell, I think, had the best year of her career. It’s just an exciting roster — what an outstanding moment we have in women’s basketball right now. To come back, be a part of it in my home state, with my home franchise, it’s just a unique opportunity and I’m so thankful and grateful for it.”

Speaking about the opportunity to return to a team with a special place in her heart, White added: “First and foremost, it’s home. This is a franchise, the Indiana Fever, Indiana Pacers, that’s in my DNA. Grew up in Indiana, played in Indiana, played with the franchise, of course, was a part of the franchise when we won the WNBA championship.”

After parting company with predecessor Sides, Fever President of Basketball Operations Kelly Krauskopf said: “We are incredibly thankful to Coach Sides for embracing the challenge of leading us through an integral transition period over the last two seasons, while also positioning us well for future growth.

“While decisions like these are never easy, it is also imperative that we remain bold and assertive in the pursuit of our goals, which includes maximizing our talent and bringing another WNBA championship back to Indiana. Coach Sides was an incredible representative of the Fever and our community, and we wish her nothing but success in the future.”