The Indiana Fever final claimed the WNBA championship in 2012, with the legendary Tamika Catchings main the cost. 13 years have handed since that unforgettable season, and regardless of flashes of brilliance, the Fever have but to recapture that championship magic.
However their fortunes modified dramatically after they managed to draft arguably one of many biggest, if not the best, basketball gamers to return out of the NCAA, Caitlin Clark. Final yr, the Fever had been thought-about among the many favorites to win the championship, regardless of missing an skilled squad.
This yr, issues are trying completely different. ESPN’s Gary Striewski, who picked the Fever as his favorites final season, is much more assured this time round. And he’s not simply bluffing—he has robust causes to consider Indiana can go all the best way!
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Talking on The Elle Duncan Present, Gary Striewski didn’t hesitate when requested if the Fever may win the championship this season. With no second thought, he said, ” 100 %, you talked about what they had been lacking which was numerous issues each tangible and intangible, dimension depth and inexperience, they checked each single a kind of bins and that’s simply the 5 who’re going to be on the courtroom ”
The Indiana Fever have completed an outstanding job fixing the cracks of their roster from final season. Expertise? Depth? A powerful frontcourt to enrich the electrical Caitlin Clark-Kelsey Mitchell duo? They’ve checked each field! This offseason, they introduced in DeWanna Bonner, Sophie Cunningham, and Natasha Howard, three game-changers. However it’s Bonner and Howard who stand out as huge coups for Indiana. These two aren’t simply star gamers, they’re battle-tested legends with championship rings to show it.
by way of Imago
Whereas the presence of Caitlin Clark in your team can positively make you a gorgeous vacation spot within the Free Company market, there may be one more reason why the gamers are selecting to return play in Indiana! Let’s have a look a that.
Stephanie White: The coach to steer Caitlin Clark and co to glory?
What many overlook is the Fever’s daring teaching change. After simply two seasons, they moved on from Christie Sides and introduced in somebody with deep Indiana roots, Stephanie White! A former Connecticut Solar head coach, White was additionally a part of the Fever’s 2012 championship run as an assistant.
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Gary Striewski believes Indiana’s rise as a main free-agent vacation spot isn’t nearly Caitlin Clark, it’s additionally in regards to the teaching construction in place! White, the 2023 WNBA Coach of the 12 months, led the Suns to back-to-back semifinals earlier than making the transfer to Indiana.
In the identical podcast, he says, ” They’re getting a coach, so I’m considering DeWanna Bonner selected Indiana simply as a lot for the prospect and the attract of taking part in with Caitlin Clark proper there equal to that’s taking part in with a coach and system that she had success with in Connecticut and Steph White.”
Coach White has definitely been pivotal in bringing in large names like Bonner, however now the actual problem begins. Getting this powerhouse roster to gel. Workforce chemistry will likely be key, and so much will rely on White’s means to convey out one of the best in every participant.
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For Caitlin Clark, it’s an thrilling alternative to study from a seasoned coach and proceed her progress as a participant, with White main the best way towards a possible championship run!