When you’re Caitlin Clark, the offseason is just a word that means more grind time. The Indiana Fever star isn’t one to lounge around binge-watching Netflix like the rest of us mere mortals. Instead, she’s back in the gym, trading sweat equity with none other than Fever head coach Stephanie White.
The Fever’s Instagram account set the basketball world abuzz on Monday, dropping a video of Clark and White’s first-ever workout session. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t your average YMCA pickup game. Even though the 2025 WNBA season won’t tip off until May, Clark is out here flexing her work ethic like she’s auditioning for a Rocky reboot.
Rim Runs, Floaters, and High Fives
The video shows Clark working on her offensive bag, focusing on finishing at the rim. Her floaters and layups looked smoother than your favorite barista’s latte art. Coach White didn’t just watch; she jumped right into the session, giving pointers that seemed to hit the mark. At the end of the video, the duo sealed their productive workout with a high five.
Let’s be honest: if the Fever’s opponents caught wind of this clip, they’re probably already sweating in their team-branded hoodies.
Stephanie White Returns: Déjà Vu with a Twist
White’s return to the Fever is nothing short of a plot twist worthy of a WNBA soap opera. After replacing Christie Sides—who was unceremoniously booted despite leading the Fever to their first playoff appearance in eight years—White is back where it all started.
For those keeping score, White coached the Fever in 2015-16 and even led them to the WNBA Finals in her rookie season as head coach. She’s been racking up wins with the Connecticut Sun in recent years, but now she’s returned to Indiana, presumably with a playlist of motivational speeches and maybe some sage to cleanse the locker room energy.
TIME Magazine Drama: Clark on the Cover, Opinions on Fire
Speaking of Clark, her name’s been trending for reasons beyond her jaw-dropping floater drills. TIME Magazine crowned her Athlete of the Year on Dec. 11, making her the first WNBA player to grace their cover. But not everyone’s popping champagne over it.
Washington Mystics owner Sheila Johnson had some thoughts, questioning why TIME didn’t just celebrate the entire WNBA instead of spotlighting one player. According to Johnson, singling out Clark risks stirring unnecessary controversy around race in the league.
“It’s the way media plays out race,” Johnson said, stirring up a debate that lit up social media like a New Year’s Eve sparkler.
Clark, ever the composed superstar, addressed the elephant in the room during her TIME interview. Acknowledging her white privilege, she said, “I’ve earned every single thing. But as a white person, there is privilege.” She didn’t stop there, praising Black players who have been the backbone of the WNBA.
Her comments, while thoughtful, have sparked an online debate about opportunity and recognition in women’s sports. If Clark thought her offseason was going to be quiet, she clearly underestimated the power of being in the public eye.
What’s Next for Clark and White?
With this kind of offseason dedication, the Indiana Fever could very well be the team to watch in 2025. Clark’s on-court brilliance paired with White’s coaching pedigree is a recipe for some serious hardwood havoc.
Whether it’s perfecting floaters, addressing societal issues, or giving fans content to obsess over, Caitlin Clark continues to prove she’s not just an athlete—she’s a movement. Buckle up, basketball fans, because the Fever’s fire is just getting started.
