To Stephanie White, family is everything. It was the single most important factor when she decided to cut ties with the Connecticut Sun in October last year after a two-season run, and then took up a job with the Indiana Fever. With four boys, all between 11 and 13, White considered her absence detrimental, mostly because she knew she’d regret being amiss during her kids’ formative years. But there was also one more reason why White’s move to Indiana was so important…

Her partner and ESPN host Lisa Salters, who is based in Nashville along with their kids. With the Sun arena located an hour away from the closest airport at Hartford, there came a point when it just wasn’t possible for the family to be together for a major part of the year. “Each fall, it has been really difficult, because I did not see my children a lot from the time they go back to school in August until I get home in October,” the Fever coach had said. So, when White took her new job, she considered two things. First, if the Fevers were a team that could have championship aspirations. And second, how her personal life would be elevated. Thankfully, both boxes checked.

But still, like we said: To Stephanie White, family is everything—the first-hand example of which we got on June 7 as the coach was absent from the sidelines during her team’s game vs the Chicago Sky. While the reason was first tagged as a “family emergency”, veteran commentator Mike Breen revealed on Sunday amid Salters also missing Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Thunder and Pacers, “We’re thinking of our dear friend and colleague, Lisa Salters. Lisa’s mom has been dealing with some serious health issues for a while now, so we want to send our love to Lisa and her mom. Although we’ve never met her mom, we owe her a debt of gratitude for giving us the gift of Lisa Salters, who is the teammate everyone in our business should strive to have.”

White, on the other hand, also spoke of the difficult time during the team’s latest practice and media conference: “I’m doing alright, and it’s helpful that we have such a great group that poured into me and helped to give me some strength. I always say that we have three head coaches on our staff, and knowing that they continue to step up gives me comfort. Our family’s working through a hard time right now, but no matter what, I’m going to be where my feet are, and I’m really thankful for this group.”

When White left the team in the hands of Assistant Coach Austin Kelly, it was a pivotal moment. The Fever were already struggling with the absence of their offensive engine, Caitlin Clark, due to injury. On top of that, the team stood at a shaky 3–4 record. In other words, a win could’ve elevated them into the middle of the pack, while a loss would have dragged them closer to the bottom of the standings. Fortunately, White’s faith in her assistant coaching staff paid off, and the Fever secured another win to land squarely in the middle.

But it wasn’t just the coaches who stepped up. “I really want to win for Steph—she’s going through a tough time with her family right now,” said Fever player DeWanna Bonner before their 79-52 win over the Chicago Sky. But while this proves White has trust in the Fever, it doesn’t guarantee that tough times won’t come around again.

Stephanie White knows how to sail through adversities!

The last time Stephanie White faced a tough family situation was last year after the Connecticut Sun had already been eliminated by the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA semifinals. “My priority is my family right now, honestly—just being here for my family, getting through this,” White said, fighting back tears during the press conference.

The HC had also postponed the end-of-the-season interview back then, making clear that her family was a priority. But even then, as the questions lined up, she maintained her poise, occasionally wavering when her situation was to be mentioned. “That’s my priority,” she had declared.

Nearly six months since and that view hasn’t deterred. The head coach reveals that every job decision of hers involves a discussion with her family. “For me to be closer to home, it was really important. There’s always a time in your life where you feel like everything needs to be grounded, everything needs to be centered, so that you can be where your feet are,” White always says. And she isn’t letting go of it.