Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White has unleashed a powerful defense of rookie sensation Caitlin Clark, accusing the media and league power brokers of twisting the young star’s image to serve their own agendas. In a striking interview, White admitted that she “hates it all for Caitlin” and claimed the 23-year-old guard has been reduced to “a pawn in a lot of other people’s games and narratives.”

White’s comments shed light on the intense scrutiny Clark faces, not just as a basketball player but as a cultural figure. Since entering the WNBA, Clark has been at the center of countless debates — about gender, race, leadership, and the future of women’s sports — many of which, White argues, have little to do with who Clark actually is.

“I hate it all for Caitlin,” White said bluntly. “She’s incredibly mature for her age and handles things with grace, but she’s had to navigate a lot that most players never deal with. It’s exhausting, and it’s not fair to her.”

Clark’s rookie season has been far from easy. In addition to battling quad, groin, and ankle injuries, she has shouldered enormous expectations as the face of the WNBA’s next generation. Every performance, comment, and even facial expression has been dissected online and in the press — something White believes is fueled as much by outside agendas as by genuine interest in Clark herself.

“She’s a pawn,” White repeated. “People are using her name to push their own narratives. And that has nothing to do with the player or the person she is.”

The remarks come amid rising criticism of WNBA leadership and how it handles its most visible stars. Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier recently made headlines by accusing Commissioner Cathy Engelbert of telling players like Clark they should “be on their knees” thanking the league for giving them a platform — a claim Engelbert denied. Clark, while not directly addressing the comment, voiced support for Collier’s broader concerns about leadership and accountability.

White echoed those frustrations, suggesting that too many decisions are being made without input from the people closest to the game. She called for more former players to hold leadership positions, arguing that their perspective is essential to guiding the league forward and protecting stars like Clark from being exploited.

“This league is growing fast, and that’s exciting,” White said. “But with that growth comes responsibility. We need leaders who understand the pressures today’s players face — people who have lived it. That’s the only way to create a system that truly supports them.”

The issue extends beyond media coverage. As Clark’s profile has skyrocketed, so too have debates about how the WNBA markets its stars, negotiates broadcast deals, and handles its players’ public image. Many players argue they deserve more control over how they are portrayed — and more say in the conversations that shape the league’s direction.

Clark herself has remained measured amid the noise, focusing her public comments on the game and her teammates. But her willingness to stand behind Collier’s criticisms suggests she shares at least some of the concerns about leadership and narrative control.

White’s comments highlight the double-edged sword of superstardom. Clark’s talent and charisma have brought new eyes to the WNBA, but they’ve also made her a lightning rod for narratives far bigger than basketball. For a young player still adjusting to the demands of professional life, that weight can be immense.

“Caitlin wants to play the game she loves and help grow the sport,” White said. “But right now, too much of the conversation around her is being shaped by people who have their own agendas. That’s not fair to her, and it’s not good for the league.”

As the WNBA continues its rapid growth, the question of who controls the narrative — the players themselves, the media, or the league — is becoming more urgent. Clark’s meteoric rise has made her the face of that struggle, willingly or not. And for White, the path forward must start with giving players like Clark the respect and agency they deserve.

“Let Caitlin be Caitlin,” White concluded. “Let her define her own story.”