Fever’s Stephanie White dragged into Team USA coaching issue

Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White is currently in Berlin, Germany, for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup with Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston. White is part of head coach Kara Lawson’s staff as they aim to secure a fifth straight World Cup title for Team USA.

The Americans, however, ran into some trouble in their title defense. This came in the form of a 55-52 win over Italy in Team USA’s second game of the group phase. After blowing out China in their tournament opener, 94-61, the U.S. got a proper scare from Italy in what became an unexpectedly difficult win. Only Jackie Young (10 points) scored in double figures for Team USA. Collectively, the squad shot 28.6% overall and just 8.3% from three-point territory. Clark, in particular, was held to one point and no field goals. The U.S. still secured a win, but it was too close for comfort for the tournament favorites.

Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston (7), Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22).

Team USA fans turn on head coach Kara Lawson and Stephanie White

Unsurprisingly, there was a lot of noise on social media after Team USA’s close call. More than a few fans pinned the blame on head coach Kara Lawson and her supposedly ineffective tactics. White, however, saw her name dragged into the criticism. Naysayers could not help but bring up the Fever coach’s perceived shortcomings as they compared her to Lawson.

“Just when I thought you couldn’t have a worse coach than @StephanieWhite , meet Kara Lawson!” a comment on X read.

https://twitter.com/WNBA_Analyst/status/2097012454651818139

“That is so true. Stephanie White is painfully awful but Kara is giving her competition. Gray is terrible. Makes you wonder who hires the coaches. Bizarre starting lineup…again. Reese could own the boards,” a user wrote.

“She is listening to SW,” a reaction read.

“With all due respect Lawson leave and take Steph with you,” demanded another.

“Kara Lawson WAS one of my favorite coaches. I’ve lost a whole lotta respect for her. She’s approaching Stephanie White status. Let’s hope she turns it around,” a user posted.

“Stephanie White may be the biggest part of the problem. I don’t trust that woman one bit, knowing how she coaches CC in the W,” another said. The good news for Lawson, White and the rest of Team USA is that they got back on track in their final group-phase game. They dominated Czechia 105-64 on Monday to complete a 3-0 sweep of the group stage. Up next for the Americans is a quarterfinals matchup against Belgium on Thursday. They are now just three wins away from securing a fifth consecutive World Cup title.