Indiana is on the up. After making a playoff appearance for the first time in eight years and falling to Stephanie White’s Connecticut Sun last season, the Indiana Fever has welcomed White as its new head coach. And you know what? Just when we thought things couldn’t get any better, there’s some intriguing news about Caitlin Clark’s offseason training that’s making waves- but on one condition.

While multiple Fever players are set to participate in the new Unrivaled league, CC hasn’t decided yet. And that can happen depending on what she chooses to do in the offseason. If she decides against playing in Unrivaled, she can jump into training with White right away. However, there’s a lot of chatter about how the Fever feels about her involvement, especially since it could distract her from focusing solely on their program.

Sources say the Fever is very well aware of Unrivaled’s pursuit of Clark. They’ve made it clear they won’t tell her she can’t go, but there’s an unspoken hope that she stays put. “They recognize that if it’s a Lionel Messi type offer, you’re not going to tell her don’t,” one source shared. “But they hope she doesn’t. They want to provide her with an environment in Indiana where there’d be no reason to do anything else.” 

However, Scott Agness, the Fever’s writer, mentioned that while formal practices might not be possible, the new HC can still grab some one-on-one time with the rookie star if she’s around. 

“I believe so. I’ll check on that to be sure, but I believe so,” Agness said when asked about Clark’s workouts with White. Now, while there are no formal agreements, there’s a strong interest in keeping Clark close. She’s been working with the previous coaching staff.

The writer revealed that Lexie Hull and Aliyah Boston could also come in to practice with Steph. “I don’t know who else might be in the proximity of the midwest or whatever, but we do know Aliyah Boston and Lexie Hull will be playing in the unrivaled league, meaning they’re not going overseas, they’ll be right here in the US,” he asserted. Meanwhile, White couldn’t be happier to return to her roots in Indiana.

“First and foremost, it’s home,” she told ESPN. She shared how thrilling it is to coach a team filled with promising young talent, particularly highlighting Clark and Boston, who have made waves in their respective rookie seasons.  

“You think about a generational player in Caitlin Clark, back-to-back Rookies of the Year with Aliyah Boston,” Fever’s new HC emphasized. Now, with Aliyah officially confirmed for Unrivaled and Lexie joining in as well, will Caitlin Clark join her teammates in this new league? 

Opportunities await Caitlin Clark

The Unrivaled League by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart is expanding its roster spots from 30 to 36. Collier shared in a social media video that the expansion comes after outperforming their financial projections. “We’re able to do this because we outperformed our financial projections,” she said. 

Although they’re in talks with the 2024 RoTY, they’re not putting any pressure on CC to make a decision just yet. “We’re always going to have a roster spot for Caitlin Clark,” Alex Bazzell, Unrivaled president, said. “We’re not applying a full-court press the way people think.”

He added, “We are letting her decompress from basketball. … She knows that we have a spot for her when she’s ready.” This leaves CC at a crossroads. If she chooses to participate in the three-on-three basketball league, she risks spreading herself thin and possibly missing out on valuable training time with White. 

Caitlin Clark and Co. are determined to make it big next season. It’s clear that Indiana native Stephanie White is going to make efforts for the team’s communication, performance, and overall record. So, will Caitlin Clark opt to hone her skills with White, or will she go for the allure of the Unrivaled League?