Indiana Pacers HC Coach Rick Carlisle hailed Stephanie White as one of the WNBA’s greatest ever coaches ahead of the Indiana Fever's season opener. 

After dominating with the Connecticut Sun, White brought her successful track record to the Indiana Fever, and this season, she aims to build on last season's progress.

"Stephanie White is one of the greatest coaches in the WNBA. It will go down in the history of the WNBA. She will be one of the greatest ever. Their run and the way they pieced things together with similar challenges last year … That was inspirational."

This is not the first time the Pacers HC has praised White. Carlisle also appreciated the Fever's courageous efforts after last season's semifinal loss against the champions, the Las Vegas Aces.

White joined Indiana after a successful two-year stint with the Connecticut Sun.

She won Coach of the Year in 2023 after leading the Sun to a 27-13 win/loss record in her debut season.

The 48-year-old went on to prove she was not a one-season wonder after carrying that momentum to the Fever. She led them to their best-ever regular-season finish since 2015, with a 24-20 record last season.

The Fever also won the Commissioner's Cup for the first time in their history before reaching the semifinals. White achieved this despite star player Caitlin Clark appearing in only 13 games.

However, White has been a part of the Fever before. She served as assistant coach for three years between 2011 and 2014 before being promoted as head coach in 2015. She left a year later to coach Vanderbilt.

Carlisle was also delighted over the Fever’s strong moves in WNBA free agency.

Stephanie White transforms the Indiana Fever

The Fever has every right to be excited for the upcoming WNBA season. Caitlin Clark is finally back in the squad after being sidelined for the majority of last season.

They have also re-signed one of the 'Big 3' members in Kelsey Mitchell with a $1.4 million supermax contract. Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham also return to the roster.

Carlisle said that “it’s all good stuff” for the Fever, especially with White leading the way.

The Fever will now look to strengthen their squad once again with some solid rookie options in the WNBA Draft, before heading to their first game of the season against Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings.

Do you think the Fever can make a championship run this season? Drop your comments down.

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Utsav Gupta