Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White has observed a positive transformation in Caitlin Clark following their recent success with Team USA at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. Clark was part of the undefeated squad that secured the gold medal after defeating France in the championship game.
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Although Clark typically plays a prominent role, she served as a bench player during this tournament. White believes this experience has had a beneficial impact on Clark, stating that it allowed her to learn from veteran players. In an interview after a Fever practice, White shared her admiration for Clark's development.
White, who was an assistant coach for Team USA under Kara Lawson, emphasized that Clark showcased her ability to influence games with her pace, particularly as younger players entered the lineup. "I think for Caitlin, being able to learn from those veterans... FIBA is different. World Cup and Olympics is different. It’s not the WNBA," White said. "Having that experience... I think she’s able to learn by watching."
White also noted that Clark demonstrated outstanding floor awareness and playmaking skills throughout the tournament, and her confidence grew as the competition progressed. She highlighted a pivotal shot that Clark made just before halftime against France, calling it a momentum-changing moment. "That shot that she hit right before halftime... she stepped up, and she knocked it down. So I’m really proud of her," White concluded.
Despite some criticism regarding Clark's bench role on Team USA, White's comments suggest that the experience has ultimately contributed to Clark's growth as a player.