WNBA Coach Sends Clear Message on Stephanie White, DeWanna Bonner’s Relationship

WNBA Coach Sends Clear Message on Stephanie White, DeWanna Bonner’s Relationship originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Building off a postseason appearance in Caitlin Clark’s rookie season, the Indiana Fever made some major additions over the offseason.

The first major move was replacing head coach Christie Sides with former Connecticut Sun coach Stephanie White. Indiana later signed two-time WNBA champion DeWanna Bonner to add veteran leadership. Bonner had also spent the previous two seasons with Connecticut under White.

Despite joining her former Sun coach on the Fever, Bonner has been away from the team for the last five games, including their recent road trip, due to personal reasons.

But, on Tuesday, reports of Bonner wanting out of Indiana surfaced, which ultimately led to her release the following day. Not only did this surprise many fans, but WNBA coaches may not have been expecting it too, including Las Vegas Aces’ Becky Hammon.

Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White and DeWanna Bonner© Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White and DeWanna Bonner© Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

On Wednesday night, ahead of the Aces’ home game against the Connecticut Sun, Hammon met with the media for a pregame interview. When asked about Bonner’s departure from the Fever, she shared her thoughts on Bonner’s relationship with White.

“I only knew a little bit about it before,” Hammon said. “You know (Bonner) was with Steph too, so I know they have a pretty solid relationship. But for whatever reason, some things don’t work out. Now there’s like a DB sweepstakes.”

Like the Fever (7-7), Hammon and the Aces have endured a rough start to the season, falling to 6-7 through 13 games. But with reigning MVP A’ja Wilson still performing at a high level, Las Vegas remains a contender.

Bonner, meanwhile, departs the Fever after playing in nine games. She started the first three games but was later moved to the bench in favor of Lexie Hull.

It is unclear why Bonner wanted to leave Indiana, but her preferred destinations are the Phoenix Mercury—where her fiancée Alyssa Thomas plays—and the Atlanta Dream.