Why Caitlin Clark would ‘respect’ Cheryl Reeve more than Stephanie White despite altercation
· Yahoo Sports
Caitlin Clark’s relationship with Cheryl Reeve has given Linda Cohn an example of the coaching dynamic she believes could bring out the best in the Indiana Fever star.
Despite a heated moment between Clark and Reeve during Indiana’s win over Minnesota, the pair were later seen sharing smiles, adding another layer to a relationship that has already attracted plenty of attention.
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Clark and Reeve have known each other since the 2024 Olympic roster debate, when Reeve was frequently questioned about Clark’s omission from Team USA. Clark later selected Reeve as one of her coaches for the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game.
The latest interaction came as outside discussion around Clark and the Fever coaching staff has continued throughout the season.
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesLinda Cohn explains why Caitlin Clark may connect with Cheryl Reeve
Speaking with Maurice Drake Jr. on Keep The Vision, Cohn argued that Clark needs to respect the person coaching her, rather than suggesting the guard is difficult to coach.
“Can you imagine Caitlin Clark playing for a coach like that? Because even if Cheryl Reeve does the tough love on her, Caitlin respects someone like that,” Cohn said. “That’s the difference. And she is coachable for people like, ‘Oh, Linda, Maurice, you’re always defending Caitlin Clark. She can’t have her best friend as a coach.’ That’s not what we’re saying. She’s very coachable. But the person that coaches her, she has to respect. She can’t be, meaning Caitlin, have the better basketball mind than the head coach.”
Cohn’s comments followed several moments involving Clark and Fever head coach Stephanie White that have fuelled outside speculation about their relationship.
During Indiana’s loss to the Washington Mystics, Clark was visibly frustrated while speaking with White on the sideline. A game later, Fever assistant coach Briann January was seen having an animated conversation with Clark.
Neither incident confirmed a deeper disagreement, and Clark previously pushed back against narratives surrounding the Fever coaching staff, saying much of what is discussed publicly is “not always based in reality.”
Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesCohn also admitted she had expected White’s arrival to work with Clark.
“And I didn’t see it coming. I got to be honest with you – I don’t know – I thought when Stephanie White came over, I thought, it was going to work. I did. And then it didn’t,” Cohn said.
The contrast Cohn drew remains her interpretation rather than confirmation of what Clark thinks privately.
For now, Indiana’s focus turns towards the playoffs, where Clark and White will have the chance to put the attention back on the court.
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