“Her shooting ability is, you know, it’s her superpower,” Stephen Curry once said of Caitlin Clark. But for the Indiana Fever to transform from playoff hopefuls to title contenders, it’s clear: Clark’s evolution is the key. With bigger stakes, more movement, and less ball dominance, the magic is all in the details. The crown is within reach— and Coach White has a plan.

During an interview with Ros Gold-Onwude on the Good Follow Show, White was asked directly: “What aspects of her (Clark’s) game would you like to work with her on for this season?” Her response was sharp.

“Yeah I mean, certainly getting stronger was one. You know the level of physicality in the W is totally different. You know that’s the way that teams have to try to keep her off balance. Keeping a low center of gravity—you know there are times where she plays a little bit upright—making sure core strength um and her ability to move with time under tension and stay in a low center of gravity is important,” White said.

Clark’s rookie campaign was a collision course with the reality of pro basketball’s brute force. In her debut against the Connecticut Sun, she racked up a record-breaking 10 turnovers, with DiJonai Carrington hounding her at every pivot. She’d go on to break the single-season turnover record in a July 14 loss to the Minnesota Lynx. Even on a night when she dished out 19 assists against the Dallas Wings, the giveaways persisted—showcasing both her brilliance and the punishing learning curve she’s still navigating.

But the hits didn’t stop at stats. From a ruptured eardrum via Jonquel Jones’ hard screen to a flagrant foul by Angel Reese to a literal black eye in her playoff debut—Clark’s rookie season read like a rite of passage in bruises and bumps. Through it all, her response remained stoic:  “It didn’t bother me,” she said after Carrington’s playoff eye poke. “It is what it is,” she added after the Reese foul. Grit? Check. 

Now, heading into a new season, however, White wants that grit molded into elite adaptability. On the basketball side of things, she’s laser-focused on rounding out Clark’s offensive arsenal:

“From just a straight basketball perspective, making sure that we help her diversify her finishing ability—diversify in the way that that it’s not predictable.” Crossbody finishes, floaters, at the rim, quick floaters or long floaters, the aim is simple, she can’t be predictable. Not with the “athleticism, speed, quickness and as much as the game plan is going to be geared toward her.”

The sentiment echoes real-time critiques. Chicago Sky’s Chennedy Carter took to Threads in June of last year to ask, “Besides three point shooting what does she bring to the table man.”  Meanwhile, Washington’s Brittney Sykes implored defenses on X: “If anyone is reading this …. STOP Letting Caitlin Clark GO LEFT TO SHOOT HER THREES 😭 my gosh … ESPN even showed a MADE FG visual.”

White isn’t blind to those criticisms and observations—and she’s not backing down. She wants to turn those scouting reports into old news. The blueprint? Turn Clark from a primary ball handler into a dynamic, ever-moving threat, à la Steph Curry. And that means working off-ball, not just on it.

“Utilize her as a screener, getting her into action on the third and fourth side instead of the first and second where it’s easy to game plan against. Now how we use her to help everybody else be better off the ball.”

There’s precedent to this approach. Steph Curry’s NBA usage rate in the 2024–25 season was 33.3%, a number built not only on volume but on how much ground he covers without the ball. In contrast, Clark’s WNBA usage rate last season stood at 26.2%. She averaged 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds—a full stat line, but one that leaned heavily on direct involvement. White’s message is clear: the path forward means Clark does more by doing less with the ball.

And none of this is just chalkboard theory. White’s already seen signs of change. “From day one to day two she had it. Wow. Like like she’s a perfectionist and she she wants it and she’s going to work on it. So that long list might get shorter every day.” But for Indiana to grab that title, White has a whole roster to plan around. 

Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston: The Inside-Out Duo Leading the Fever’s Rebuild

One evolving item on the Fever’s checklist is Caitlin Clark’s dynamic two-player game with All-Star forward Aliyah Boston—another cornerstone of Indiana’s rebuild. When coach Stephanie White joined the Fever she shared with ESPN, “The point guard and the center… you have the bookends that you want to build around.”

And for this purpose itself, White has constructed a dynamic support system around them to complement this unique skill set. Kelsey Mitchell, the sharp-shooting guard, continues to be a dangerous weapon in her own right. Last season, Mitchell averaged 19.2 points and shot an impressive 40.2% from three, making her a perfect running mate for Clark. Together, they’ll form a backcourt that can stretch defenses and create havoc with their ability to score in transition and hit from deep.

On the wing, Sophie Cunningham brings spacing. Her toughness and perimeter shooting will provide Clark with a reliable outlet when opposing defenses swarm her. Lexie Hull, known for her high-energy defense and hustle plays, is the perfect complementary piece. Averaging 5.5 points and 2.5 rebounds, Hull’s defensive ability, highlighted by her memorable block against Angel Reese (in unrivaled), makes her an invaluable asset on both sides of the floor.

DeWanna Bonner, though in the twilight of her career, remains a key figure for the Fever. Last season, she averaged 15.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals, still showing the clutch shot-making and leadership that can guide the young Fever squad. Bonner’s veteran presence will be crucial for Clark as she steps into an even bigger role.

And then there’s Aliyah Boston, the post anchor who will provide Clark with the perfect inside-out partner. After a stellar sophomore season where she posted 14.0 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks, Boston’s low-post scoring and rebounding ability will keep defenders honest, allowing Clark more room to work on the perimeter. 

Lastly, Sydney Colson may not light up the stat sheet, but her leadership, defense, and locker-room presence are the glue that holds everything together. Though she averaged only 2.5 points and 1.0 assists last season, Colson’s value lies in her ability to keep the team focused, especially in high-pressure situations.

This blend of youth, experience, shooting, and defense around Caitlin Clark forms the core of a Fever team with sky-high potential—one that is ready to contend for a playoff spot and make a serious push in the 2025 season.