Stephanie White has been entrusted in bringing success back to the Indiana Fever (Image: Getty)
Stephanie White is once again tasked with restoring success to the Indiana Fever. Following her last month, marking her second tenure in charge, the Indianapolis native has been given the mission of igniting a prosperous era for the team led by .
The 22-year-old has already made a name for herself as one of the league’s standout players after guiding the Fever to the playoffs last season for the first time in six years. It was a season where she became the first player ever to unanimously win the Rookie of the Year award.
Team success is the ideal antidote for keeping a franchise star like Clark content. She could find herself partnering with college starlet Aneesah Morrow, who is expected to enter the 2025 WNBA Draft. A smooth draft night could see White enjoy a dream start to the much-anticipated sophomore season for the point guard, and Express Sport has looked at what would be ideal for the Fever.
Caitlin Clark pledges future
As she enters her second season in the WNBA, Clark will also be in the second year of her four-year contract with the Fever. Despite a first-round exit in the playoffs last season, the guard has shown no signs of dissatisfaction with the lack of post-season success in her debut campaign.
Retaining a key player like Clark for the majority of their career is crucial for any franchise. Given that players can’t renegotiate their contracts mid-deal, White will be hoping that the point guard commits her future to the Fever by signing a new contract at the end of her current one.
Championship aspirations will undoubtedly play a significant role in Clark’s decision to stay with the Fever, as White’s experience in title situations could be instrumental in ensuring she remains in Indiana.
The 22-year-old is set to enter the second year of her four-year contract (Image: Getty)
Kelsey Mitchell set to return
In addition to securing Clark’s continued presence, White will likely be striving to get Kelsey Mitchell to sign a new contract. The two-time All Star was the team’s second-highest scorer in the 2024 season, averaging 19.2 points per game. Entering the 2024 season in a contract year, Mitchell is now exploring the free agent market but is expected to return to the Fever after being designated a ‘core player’ by the franchise, granting them exclusive negotiation rights for her next contract.
Having been with the team since being drafted second overall in the 2018 Draft, the 29-year-old has consistently delivered high scoring performances since arriving in Indiana and is undoubtedly a crucial part of a team aiming to make a deep playoff run next season.
“She’s extremely important to the success of this, our future,” Fever President of Basketball Operations Kelly Krauskopf remarked recently. “We intend to have lots of conversations and make sure she knows that, but I think she does know that.”
Mitchell (L) was drafted second overall by the Fever in the 2018 WNBA Draft (Image: NBAE via Getty Images)
Aneesah Morrow joins the ranks
The LSU sensation has been in outstanding form this season, maintaining an unbeaten streak of 7-0 while averaging 18PPG and 13RPG. With the forward anticipated to enter the 2025 WNBA Draft next April, ESPN’s Michael Voepel has tipped the Indiana Fever – who possess the number eight pick – to select the 22-year-old.
Morrow, a former teammate of Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese at LSU, has garnered high praise from Reese, who called for the media and public to acknowledge her achievements. “Me and Nees work hard every single day. I can’t do my job without Aneesah,” Reese commented during her final season with LSU.
“So understanding like, everybody gives me the praise, but you’ve got to give Aneesah the praise for the things that she does, too. She does a lot of great things that I don’t do. So, I just don’t want to always get all the praise like giving Aneesah her props, and giving her flowers, she’s one of the top guards in the country. I don’t want this to always be on me.”
The LSU star is predicted to be chosen by the Fever in the 2025 WNBA Draft (Image: University Images via Getty Images)
Fever aiming for the Finals
Last season, the Fever posted a balanced record of 20-20, which by any standard is considered average. Yet, with Clark gaining another year of experience, they could pose a significant threat in the upcoming season. The potential comeback of Mitchell, along with the prospect of Morrow joining the team, provides White with a promising base to construct a championship-winning side.
White’s own championship acumen is invaluable. Her experience guiding the Fever to the Finals in 2016, coupled with her triumph as an assistant coach in 2012, equips her with invaluable insight into what it takes to ascend to the pinnacle of the sport.