James Boyd reposted two interviews where Caitlin has denounced racism and hatred. This is in response to some media outlets demanding Caitlin.... denounce racism and hatred. Those other media outlets are just click-baiting and sowing anger and discord. I'm not sharing those other posts.
James Boyd, Chloe Peterson, Brian Haenchen, and Tony East continue to be my favorite Indy beat reports and WNBA journalists.
I feel like there are definitely some Fever fan vote fatigue happening. We managed to mostly catch up after the first published subtotal, but not all the way.
Fever fans need to do better in 2027. 💪🏻
🔥
Kelz is embarrassed by the attention. So adorable! Congrats to AB, Kelz, and CC!
https://fever.wnba.com/news/indiana-fever-add-gary-kloppenburg-in-interim-role
Karima Christmas-Kelly preparing for maternity leave; Tully Bevilaqua to be elevated to front of bench
INDIANAPOLIS (July 1, 2026) — The Indiana Fever will welcome back Gary Kloppenburg as an interim team advisor, re-joining the organization for additional support as current assistant Karima Christmas-Kelly prepares for the birth of her second child. Christmas-Kelly will remain with the team for the coming weeks before beginning her maternity leave. Additionally, when Christmas-Kelly’s leave begins, current Advance Scout and Video Coordinator Tully Bevilaqua will see her role elevated to interim assistant coach to support Head Coach Stephanie White and the team.
Kloppenburg, who has served as a scout for the Fever over the last two seasons, had two earlier stints as an assistant with the Fever from 2008-11 and 2015-16 with the latter as a member of White’s staff.
Kloppenburg holds over four decades of coaching experience, including extensive time in the WNBA having previously served as the head coach of the Tulsa Shock (2012-13) and interim head coach of the Seattle Storm (2020). In addition to his time with the Fever, Kloppenburg has also been an assistant for the Storm, Phoenix Mercury, Los Angeles Sparks and the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats.
An Olympic silver medalist with Australia, Bevilaqua turned to the sideline after completing her playing career, previously serving as the head coach for New Zealand side Mainland Pouakai and as an assistant for the Phoenix Mercury. She returned to Indiana in 2017, then hired as a player development coach.
The Fever return to action on Sunday, July 5, when they kick off a four-game road trip at T-Mobile Arena, facing the reigning WNBA Champion Las Vegas Aces. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, with the game aired nationally on ESPN.
https://xcancel.com/Brian_Haenchen/status/2072332683183853856
hank 🇰🇷 @Brian_Haenchen
After going 0-for-a lot yesterday, Aliyah Boston swished her first mid-stretching 3 today.
Look at Lexie go while holding her sammich! LOL
https://xcancel.com/Brian_Haenchen/status/2072344032072667353
Reporter: Do you think they will be playing?
Stephanie White: Yeah, I think they will.
Reporter: And Caitlin and Sophie, will they be able to practice?
Stephanie White: Sophie is not. Sophie is still home under the weather. Caitlin did an individual workout this morning.
Reporter: And Caitlin, for her, is she with coaches for that? Is she just literally by herself, or...
Stephanie White: No, she's with our player development coaches, with our medical staff, with our sports performance staff, and just working on some, some basketball skill stuff, movement pattern stuff as she continues to work her way back to, to full team participation.
Reporter: Do you know anything about availability for tomorrow?
Stephanie White: Yeah, no, I think it's still too early.
Reporter: Do you have a better idea, I guess, on just her status? Like, is she doing better with her back, or do you have more clarity, I guess, just on the injury itself?
Stephanie White: Yeah, I mean, I think every day is a little bit better, right? Every day is a little bit better. And again, I reiterate for those who haven't had back issues, every day can be something different. You know, you can feel really good in, in practices, or a workout, or warmups, or whatever, and then you go to bed at night and you wake up and it, and it's different. Or, you know, if you, you sit at home and you're watching something on television, if you're watching the game or whatever else, you can wake up and it's different. I mean, it's, it's the back is a, is a nagging thing that manifests itself in different ways.
Reporter: Is it, was it a re-aggravation? Is that how you would, the medical staff would describe it as a re-aggravation, or is this kind of a new, a new thing?
Stephanie White: Yeah, I don't, I don't think it's a new thing. I think it's a re-aggravation. Again, when you have a back, it's like every day is, every day is different.
https://xcancel.com/TonyREast/status/2072334584348328237#m
Stephanie White: Yeah, I know, I got AB's sneakers on today. Before we start with questions, I just want to address what's going on with AT. I think first and foremost, it's absolutely unacceptable.
I think as a league as a whole, there's been so much more toxicity, racism, homophobia, straight out nonsense, hate nonsense, and it is absolutely unacceptable. Most of this is coming from the online community. Most of this, in my heart of hearts, I believe is not coming from WNBA fans or Indiana Fever fans.
I believe that this is people who are using our league and using our players to further divisive agendas. It's not acceptable. Yes, we have to continue to protect our players. We've got to continue to support our players and our league.
We get to play a basketball game. And AT was exactly right: we get to play a basketball game. Yes, that's going to come with criticism, and yes, that's going to come with fans and the love-hate relationship that they have with players and teams. That is going to come. But it's not hard to not be a jerk.
And if you are one of these people that are online doing this, do not call yourself a WNBA fan. Our league is about inclusiveness. Our league is about competition. Our league is about elevating elevating women, elevating marginalized communities, and being inclusive of all different walks of life. That is what our league has always been about from day one. That is what our league will continue to be about.
And we will continue to compete at a high level, hold ourselves to a higher standard, continue to be on the forefront of social norms, and we will continue to support one another collectively as a league. Players, coaches, staff, support staff, everyone. We're about elevating. We are not about demeaning or demanding. We are not about continuing this narrative, and it is absolutely unacceptable.
Reporter: With Phoenix, she said that she didn't even hear from the league in the process. Do you think that that's a fair way for them to have gone about this at all, that it ended like this?
Stephanie White: I think obviously, when there's a lack of communication, the void is filled with negativity. I think being able to communicate and being able to be the one who reaches out first is important. So yeah, I'm sure if I was in that situation, I would have wanted to hear from the league.
Look, none of us can control social media. The things that we can do to minimize it, some of us are in a better position than others. Myself as a coach, I don't have to get on there. Players, their brands are on there, and so it's different. It's different, and we can't control that, we know. But continuing to put whatever we can in place to support, to help, and then from a human standpoint, checking on one another is important, too.
Reporter: You mentioned the situations with Connecticut when you were a coach, like the series against the Fever, she felt similar things. Do you recall that? I remember you talked about this stuff during the first round and do you feel like fan behavior has improved since then?
Stephanie White: Yeah, I remember that, because I remember our players talking about it, and I remember myself talking about it. I don't know if fan behavior has improved. I don't feel like legitimate WNBA fans are the ones that we're talking about.
I feel like it's an online community, and maybe this is my privilege and my being naive, but I truly believe that it is an online community that is using our league and using our players to continue to further divisive, hateful narratives.
Transcript
Kelsey Mitchell: ...I wanted somebody that wanted me. I think that's the most simplest way I can put it. Not a woman of many dramatic words, it's just a woman where I was valued, where people wanted to take time and pour into me.
Reporter: What made you feel that value? How did they start talking to you about that connection?
Kelsey Mitchell: I would say like, beginning of like my offseason last year after we got done in Vegas, me and Ty connected on a really deeper level. And I said, I've never had this before so it was kind of new for me. I'm grateful for Nike because I was with Nike for eight years and, you know, that was what it was, but, you know, Ty took special time out of his day, out of his when I was in my offseason to really figure out what I wanted to do and how I felt about, you know, potentially, you know, being a part of it. And the more and more we talked, it just, it just made sense, you know?
Reporter: Did the Tyrese part make it any more special that he's around all the time, or she's all the time now? The video we saw yesterday.
Kelsey Mitchell: Yeah, for sure. I think it's, I think that's the best part. He's very personable. He's human. He's an unbelievable basketball player and I just think he's a solid human, man. I think everything I'm trying to do in my life, I just want to be around good people, and I think he's one of the good ones.
Reporter: Who do you think was a better actor in that?
Kelsey Mitchell: Well, we both were one-takes, so, you know. So, I don't know.
Reporter: Kelsey, do you think this week off comes at a good time for you guys?
Kelsey Mitchell: Uh, I think yeah. I just think that you can't, you know, BS the time that you have. If you're going to get reps and you're going to be intentional about those reps, then we got to get them. I think that this is time to really, you know, sharpen the iron of whatever we lack at as best as possible. But I do think that you can't take this time for granted because once it happens and you don't do right by it, you don't get it back. So...
Reporter: What do you think the most important part is for this week for you guys?
Kelsey Mitchell: Um, I just think discipline in the areas where we honestly lack. I think that, team chemistry, I think you can always get that right. Implementation of other pieces like Ty. Just figuring out what Ty kind of needs, you know, as she, you know, stays a part of our, our process. Mind, you know, all of us getting our feet wet as far as chemistry, I don't think you can ever be too good for that every day, and I think that um, just, just kind of bodying about our culture, keeping our culture intact and making sure that we align to just get working. If you ain't come here to get working, and we not doing the right things, you know...
Reporter: How do you feel like Ty fit in there in that first game starting with you guys in the lineup?
Kelsey Mitchell: Oh, I think it was pretty amazing. I texted her yesterday, I was like, "You're, you're, you're great." And I told her that it came from a place of like, you know, her having some lapses mentally about how she felt and what her role was, and I just want her to re-solidify that that she deserves to, you know, everything that happened that night was for her, and she put us in a position to be good and um, I think that it'll be good. I think she'll have plenty more good reps in the future.
Reporter: A lot of thought might be made about what you guys can do on the court with such a long time off this week, but how much of a mental reset can it be to have almost 10 days between games?
Kelsey Mitchell: Man, I needed it. I ain't going to lie, I needed it. I'm getting older so I take that time very serious. Just to reset, figure out what I need, figure out what my body needs and um, ultimately figure out what, you know, what makes me feel good to be my best self, for myself, for the organization, and for the team, you know. I just think that mentally, you just got to be, you got to be your best version in order to get good results.
Reporter: Yeah, do you have anything fun planned for yourself or anything you like to do when you have an extended break like this?
Kelsey Mitchell: Sleep, man. School is kicking my tail, though, I won't lie to you guys. Just the papers and like, the discussion posts, man, it's, it's been kicking my tail. So, for every time I feel like I am off, I'm not really off. So, it's a part, it's a part of it, though, I wouldn't trade it. So, it's okay.
Reporter: Kelsey, with Tyrese, what, what was his like main sales pitch for you? Like, what was his recruiting pitch the entire time?
Kelsey Mitchell: Um, really honestly, it was just, it wasn't so over a pitch, it was just more so of him being a human, man. I think that we take that for granted when we got good people, people that just don't really want nothing for you, um, from you, I'm sorry, just want to pour in and invest, and I think that we can transactions, you know, support each other, and I think that he was just, he was just clear and, and 100% honest about what he wanted for his, you know, for his brand under Puma, and I think that he saw that I fit that, that criteria, and I think that him being a human about it and just being cool, man, I just, I take pride in kind of things. When you can't, when you can't be around people that can make you better and pour into you, then it's not the best, and so he did all that.
Reporter: Was he like a recruiter? Was he, was he checking in every, every so often?
Kelsey Mitchell: Nah, it was just, it's just him being him, uh, which is kind of how I like it. Like, if you do too much, then it might throw any, throw everybody off, so it was just enough, just enough.
Reporter: Are you gonna get your own shoes or color version of those? Kelsey Mitchell: Maybe! We'll see. We'll see, we'll see. Right now, I'm just, just kind of letting it all be fresh.
Reporter: How do those conversations start? Like is it just a text message, are you guys hanging out and he brings it up to you, or how did that conversation initiate?
Kelsey Mitchell: Uh, I think he was checking on my health, um, when I, when I got done with the season. Uh, and from there we just checked on each other because he was going through some things, too. So, I think the recovery for both of us was good and we got a chance to really connect.
Reporter: What's top of mind?
Stephanie White: Yeah, I mean, we, we haven't had a lot of practice time since early June. So, I think for us, um, addressing slippage, um, being able to, to really work, um, fine-tuning some details, um, and being able to add some things.
Reporter: Slippage specifically, what do you view as those areas?
Stephanie White: Well, there's always slippage, I mean, certainly. I think execution defensively, I think execution offensively, um, really when it comes to, to details, details, you need reps. And, uh, so the opportunity to get reps is going to be important.
Reporter: Is this team where you expected them to be just on the learning curve defensively? Are they a little bit behind maybe where you expected, or how would you gauge that side of the ball?
Stephanie White: Yeah, I mean, I, I don't know if there is a, a clear-cut expectation, uh, with so many new, new people, you know. Certainly, when you add new pieces, um, different from what you had and, and new pieces that, you know, some of them new to the league, um, just, I, I think that you just, you gauge it early. You try to, you think about what you want to do and what you want to put in, you gauge how quickly we're able to get to that point, um, and then how much retention there is. And so, you know, I think it's just, it's, it's a group that, that um, that would I like to be further along? Of course, I think every coach would. It's, this is, it's, it's just, uh, it is where we are, and I think now for us having an opportunity for a week, uh, to be able to get back to addressing some of those things and then seeing how much further we can push is important.
Reporter: Do you have any updates on Caitlin and her status, or do you expect her to practice today?
Stephanie White: Um, no, she's going to be doing an individual workout today.
Reporter: Do you think the break comes at a good time? Just on that note. I mean, feel like a week off at any point in the season is good, but just specifically now?
Stephanie White: Yeah, I mean, of course, we'd love to be playing in the Commissioner's Cup, you know. There's no question about that. Um, but I think the opportunity that we have now to, to really um, to, to get back to some of the basics and to work on some things that we need to work on, um, it's, it's good timing.
Reporter: When you looked at this stretch here, what was like the most important part like, 'I want us to accomplish what?' Like what was most important for you?
Stephanie White: I want us to practice, you know. We don't have much opportunity to practice. So, again, address slippage, um, and be able to add some things.
Reporter: Just, uh, Kelsey, Kelsey with the shoe deal. Yeah, just how excited are you for her, and, and what do you think of the, the first version that she brought out?
Stephanie White: Oh, I'm real excited for her, you know. She, she deserves it. Um, you know, I'm excited that, uh, that she get this opportunity and certainly to work with Ty and, uh, to be able to do those things. And, um, yeah, the first one she, she, first time she came out in the shoes, um, you know, you recognized it because it wasn't what she typically wears. And, um, just asking her about it, and she said she was trying them out, and, um, you know, I'm just, I'm happy for Kelsey that she's, she's finally getting her flowers.
Reporter: And with this stretch without games, now how do you maximize your time for yourself away from basketball? How do you kind of mentally reset?
Stephanie White: Um, you know, I had, I had a couple days. I went and played in a charity golf outing yesterday, and, um, it was for a children's hospital in Chicago. And I think anytime you get an opportunity, um, to reset your perspective, it's important. Um, you know, talking with families, talking with children who have been through, um, so much. Um, you know, we, we get to play a game and coach a game, and, um, you know, and so I, I think that gives you, gives me an opportunity to, to really, ... be humbled in a way that, that helps you maintain perspective and, and, ... get out of the weeds, so to speak. Um, yeah, and then the opportunity again to practice and then, and then to find some time to just decompress a little bit. Reporter: How'd you shoot yesterday? Stephanie White: Oh, it was a scramble, so it's always great, right? Thanks, guys.
And... CC revealed more about her personality than expected. Lol.
The racer blue really pops.
🤣
W
MHA is the best man.
I saw someone asking what her sweatshirt says. I'm hoping this will be sold as part of her CC collection. Love this.
Edit: It looks like knockoffs are available. LOL