Indiana Fever Coach Stephanie White Issues Exciting Message on Thursday

Indiana Fever Coach Stephanie White Issues Exciting Message on Thursday originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Stephanie White is currently just a few months into her job as the head coach of the Indiana Fever. However, the 47-year-old has a long history with both the team and the city. 

This is currently White's second stint as the Fever's shot-caller. After serving as part of the coaching staff for four years, White was promoted as the team's head coach in 2015. She sat at the helm for two seasons before making a move to college basketball at Vanderbilt. In 2023, White made a return to the WNBA when she took up the coaching job of the Connecticut Sun for two seasons.

Moreover, White also spent the majority of her playing career in Indiana, having played five years for the team between 2000 and 2004. 

On Thursday, White was asked to share her thoughts on the atmosphere in Indiana, now that the Indiana Pacers are back in the NBA Finals after a quarter century. The Fever coach had nothing but good things to say about the Indiana faithful and their passion for the game.  

"Oh, it's incredible. It's incredible," she said. "I mean, as someone who grew up in the state of Indiana, as the saying goes, this is Indiana. The energy is incredible. It's such a fun time to be in the city. 

"Yes, I was here the last time the Pacers were in the Finals back in 2000. I remember being in the building and just feeling that energy. It is. It's exciting. There's no better place, the epicenter of basketball in Indiana and in Indianapolis."

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White was born in Danville, Illinois, but as she said in her statement above, she grew up in Indianapolis. White went to Seeger High School in West Lebanon, Indiana, where she was named Gatorade National Player of the Year and the USA Today National Player of the Year in 1995. 

To say that White's connection with Indiana runs deep would be an understatement, which is why she is one with the people of Indianapolis as they cheer for the Pacers in their quest for their first-ever NBA championship. 

The Pacers took a huge step toward that goal on Wednesday after taking down the Oklahoma City Thunder, 116-107, to take a 2-1 series advantage in the NBA Finals. Game 4 on Friday will be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse again, and the Pacers have an excellent opportunity to take a commanding lead in this series in front of their ever-faithful supporters.      

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.