Michael Jordan’s former mansion is now available to rent — for $230K

The Highland Park, Ill. home features a regulation-sized basketball court, championship-level putting green, tennis court, fitness center, and gaming areas.

A gate with the number 23 controls access to the home of basketball legend Michael Jordan in 2013 in Highland Park, Ill.Scott Olson / Getty Images file

The new owner of former Chicago Bulls superstar Michael Jordan’s 37,000 square-foot Highland Park mansion is offering the property up for rent this spring, calling it “The Ultimate March Madness Retreat.”

The rental posting comes a month after John Cooper, the property’s owner said guests could “co-own” the property at $1 million per share.

The rental, listed by Carrie McCormick of @Properties, shows the nine-bedroom, 15.5 bathroom property dubbed “Champions Point” is available to rent on a short-term lease, with a month-long stay at $230,000.

“Champions Point is a sports lover’s sanctuary, featuring a regulation-sized basketball court, championship-level putting green, tennis court, fitness center, and gaming areas,” the listing said. “Designed for seamless entertainment and relaxation, the estate also boasts a circular infinity pool, state-of-the-art theatre, wine cellar, and cigar room-all curated for the ultimate elevated lifestyle experience.”

The listing also describes the 7.39 acre property as “The Ultimate March Madness Retreat,” where guests can “watch every buzzer-beater, Cinderella story, and championship moment unfold in your private sports haven.”

“Whether you’re courtside in your own regulation-sized indoor basketball arena, hosting an epic viewing party in the state-of-the-art theatre, or celebrating victories in the luxury cigar lounge and wine cellar, every moment at Champions Point is designed for those who demand excellence-on and off the court,” the listing said.

Photos of the rental listing show multiple rooms with televisions, pool tables, as well as a gym, tennis court and basketball court.

It wasn’t immediately clear what dates the listing was available for, and the leasing agent did not immediately respond to NBC Chicago’s request for comment.

The 2025 March Madness NCAA basketball tournament begins Sunday, March 16 with Selection Sunday.

The full rental listing can be viewed here.

76ers doomed to make Lonnie Walker IV realization Celtics fans failed to see

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Philadelphia 76ers are signing Lonnie Walker IV to a two-year, $3 million contract, bringing him aboard mid-season amidst their dwindling playoff push. Walker spent the preseason and training camp with the Boston Celtics before signing overseas with Zalgiris Kaunas in the EuroLeague.

Reports swirled that the Celtics tried to trade Jaden Springer before the start of the year so they could retain Walker, but they were unwilling to sign him to their 15th roster spot (likely for financial reasons). Celtics fans were very unhappy, as they had come to like Walker and what he could bring to the table.

But those fans failed to see the potential downside to Walker, and that’s a realization Philadelphia may be doomed to learn.

Lonnie Walker IV is extremely streaky

Walker has been a solid bucket-getter throughout the course of his career. He played fairly well last season while with the Brooklyn Nets, and his three-point shooting numbers actually saw a significant improvement.

But he’s a very streaky shooter. He shot lights out for the first half of the season in Brooklyn, but in the second half, his numbers from distance fell off a cliff.

And so far this season in the EuroLeague, Walker has struggled with his efficiency. Through 19 EuroLeague games, Walker has shot just 38.7% from the field and 33.1% from behind the three-point line.

The 76ers could use an extra scorer on their roster as they continue to deal with injuries, but the streakiness of Walker is what Boston fans failed to see.

They fell in love with his ability to get buckets, but on the current Celtics roster, his style of play likely would have struggled to fit in.

Boston already has a well-established pecking order of scorers, all of whom share touches accordingly. Fitting in another guy who needs the ball in his hands to be at his best probably wasn’t going to work out well.

There’s a good chance that Walker find some success in Philadelphia as they could use some extra guys who are comfortable controlling the ball on offense, but that wouldn’t have been a great fit for the Celtics.

Now, the Sixers are doomed to come to the realization that Walker is simply a streaky scorer who can pop off for big nights from time to time. Celtics fans didn’t see that, but his entire NBA career and EuroLeague numbers show it.

“Justin Timberlake & Beyoncé: The Untold Drama, Controversies, and Behind-the-Scenes Clashes!”

When two of the biggest names in the music industry—Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé—cross paths, the result is nothing short of legendary. But beneath the glitz, Grammy wins, and chart-topping hits lies a history filled with controversy, power struggles, and behind-the-scenes tensions that many fans don’t know about. From awkward encounters to shocking revelations, let’s dive into the real story of Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé’s complicated relationship.

The ‘Single Ladies’ SNL Sketch Controversy

One of the most talked-about moments involving Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé came from a 2009 Saturday Night Live sketch, where Timberlake dressed as a backup dancer and hilariously performed alongside Beyoncé in a parody of her iconic Single Ladies video.

While fans loved the comedic take, Beyoncé reportedly wasn’t thrilled about it. In a recent interview, Timberlake admitted that she was “very hesitant” about the skit. “She was not having it at first,” he said, explaining that Beyoncé took her craft seriously and didn’t want to make a mockery of it. However, after some convincing, she finally agreed, and the sketch became one of SNL’s most memorable moments.

Justin Timberlake & Beyoncé: From Collaboration to Competition?

Although both artists have dominated the industry for decades, they have never officially collaborated on a song. Fans have long speculated that this could be due to creative differences—or something deeper.

Back in the early 2000s, Timberlake was riding high on the success of his solo career after leaving *NSYNC, while Beyoncé was transitioning from Destiny’s Child to solo superstardom. Rumors swirled that the two artists were being positioned as direct competitors in the pop and R&B world.

Even their Super Bowl performances fueled these speculations. Beyoncé’s 2013 halftime show was widely praised, with many considering it one of the greatest of all time. However, when Justin Timberlake headlined the 2018 Super Bowl halftime show, it received mixed reviews, with some critics claiming it lacked the energy and spectacle that Beyoncé had delivered years before. Fans quickly drew comparisons, and some even accused Timberlake of playing it too safe, unlike Beyoncé, who made bold political statements with her Formation performance.

Beyoncé Fans Call Out Timberlake Over Janet Jackson’s Super Bowl Scandal

Another major controversy involving Timberlake indirectly pulled Beyoncé into the conversation—his infamous 2004 Super Bowl performance with Janet Jackson, where a wardrobe malfunction led to Janet being blacklisted from the industry while Timberlake’s career continued to thrive.

For years, Beyoncé’s fans have called out Timberlake, claiming he benefited from the situation while Jackson took the fall. In contrast, Beyoncé, who has fiercely supported fellow Black female artists, has been praised for how she has uplifted women in the industry. The lack of accountability from Timberlake left a bad taste in the mouths of many, further dividing their respective fan bases.

Did Beyoncé’s Renaissance Era Overshadow Justin Timberlake’s Comeback?

In 2023, Beyoncé’s Renaissance era was in full swing, dominating the music industry with record-breaking tours and critically acclaimed albums. At the same time, Timberlake was rumored to be working on a comeback album. However, some insiders speculated that Timberlake delayed his release to avoid going head-to-head with Beyoncé, whose cultural impact had reached unprecedented levels.

The supposed hesitation only fueled the idea that Timberlake and his team saw Beyoncé as too dominant to compete against directly. This speculation gained traction when Timberlake’s former NSYNC bandmate, Lance Bass, commented in an interview that Justin was “waiting for the right time” to release new music, making fans wonder if he was strategically avoiding a showdown with Queen Bey.

Where Do They Stand Today?

Despite all the speculation and past controversies, both Timberlake and Beyoncé remain two of the most respected artists in the industry. While they have never publicly addressed any tension, fans continue to analyze every interaction and moment between them.

With Timberlake gearing up for his long-awaited solo comeback in 2024 and Beyoncé constantly pushing boundaries with her music and performances, one question remains: Will we ever see a true collaboration between them, or has the unspoken rivalry gone too far?

What Do You Think?

Do you believe there’s hidden tension between Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake? Should they finally collaborate, or is their history too complicated? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

Season 27 of The Voice is underway!

NBC’s hit reality show The Voice is once again on the hunt for the next big thing in music. As blind auditions continue, the panel of accomplished coaches are each gradually filling their team with talented singers, hoping one will be crowned winner at the end of the season.

Michael Buble returned to the big red chair for his second season as a coach, John Legend returned after taking last season off, and Adam Levine returned to the show after a 10-year hiatus. Country sweetheart Kelsea Ballerini is the rookie this year, serving as a coach for the first time.

Page Mackenzie Auditions For The Voice With Pistol Annies Cover

Aspiring musician Page Mackenzie hoped to earn the Voice coaches’ favor with a sassy cover of a Pistol Annies hit. The 32-year-old is originally from Charleston, South Carolina, but she currently lives in Nashville to pursue her music career.

The Pistol Annies, the country music trio formed by Miranda Lambert, released their debut single, “Hell on Heels,” in June 2011. The song earned them two CMT Music Awards nominations and was later certified platinum by the RIAA.

Page’s edgy style was well suited for the song, which warns of a woman unafraid to go after what she wants.

Page Mackenzie Becomes The Next Member Of Team Kelsea

Page Mackenzie’s performance caught the attention of Kelsea Ballerini and Michael Buble, who turned their chairs almost simultaneously.

Both coaches fought to have the vocalist join their team. Michael praised the contestant for her range, and Kelsea pointed out the common ground she shares with Page by “knowing what it’s like to be a woman in country music.”

Ultimately, Page chose to join… Team Kelsea! 

Afterward, she expressed her gratitude online and wrote:

“I have no words. Kelsea Ballerini – thank you ♥️ thank you for believing in me & thank you for being the human you are. Let’s do the damn thing!!!”

Watch Page Mackenzie’s Voice audition of “Hell on Heels” by the Pistol Annies in the video below! 

Damian Lillard calls ‘Dame Time,’ helps his team win NBA All-Star Game tournament

Injury robbed Milwaukee Bucks fans of seeing Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard going against each other in the NBA All-Star Game final on Sunday night at the Chase Center in San Francisco, as Antetokounmpo’s calf strain prevented him from playing for the “Global Stars” vs. Lillard’s “OGs” team.

Antetokounmpo, who has been out of action since Feb. 5 with the injury to his left calf, had to watch as Lillard’s team won the game 41-32. Lillard, who entered the weekend nursing a sore hamstring, played just 2 minutes, 42 seconds of the final after it was paused for quite some time for a broadcast break. He missed his only shot.

The league introduced a new format to the all-star contest for this year, featuring four teams playing in a mini-tournament. The games were played to 40.

The league’s 24 all-stars were “drafted” onto eight-person teams by TNT analysts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith, and the fourth team was a rising stars squad comprised of first-and-second year players.

Lillard, part of O’Neal’s “OGs” helped his team advance to the final by hitting the game-winning shot – a three-pointer – to give them a 42-35 victory over the “rising stars” team managed by Candace Parker. Lillard punctuated the moment with his signature “Dame Time” wrist tap.

The Bucks point guard scored a team-high nine points in 8:31 of game play.

Antetokounmpo, the league’s leading vote-getter for the 2025 NBA all-star games, was on hand for the festivities and watched his team beat Smith’s “young stars” squad 41-32.

Along with Antetokounmpo, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and Minnesota star Anthony Edwards sat out the games with injuries.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard Have Interesting Suggestions for Future All-Star Games After 2025 Edition Flopped

Feb 18, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Eastern Conference guard Damian Lillard (0) of the Milwaukee Bucks, guard Tyrese Maxey (0) of the Philadelphia 76ers, and forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) of the Milwaukee Bucks receive the trophy following their victory against the Western Conference All-Stars in the 73rd NBA All Star game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The 2025 edition of the NBA All-Star Game was not well-received and many are now giving their opinions on how to fix it. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard both got an idea.

Feb 16, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Chuck’s Global Stars forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) of the Milwaukee Bucks during player introductions before the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The league introduced a new format for the annual festivities wherein the All-Star selections were divided into three teams, around 7-8 players each, and have them play against each other together with the winners of the Rising Stars challenge.

The change did not produce its intended results, however, with players, fans, and press members calling it among the worst editions of the ASG. This time though, it is not the players who are being blamed but the format itself.

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Jaylen Williams who was part of the rising stars complained, too, about how short the game was.

 
Feb 16, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Shaq’s OGs guard Stephen Curry (30) of the Golden State Warriors and forward Jayson Tatum (0) of the Boston Celtics and guard Damian Lillard (0) of the Milwaukee Bucks and forward Kevin Durant (35) of the Sacramento Kings celebrate with the trophy after defeating Chuck’s Global Stars during the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard on how to fix ASG

The Greek Freak did not participate in the court action but he was there for media hours. Lillard’s squad – Team OG – ended up as the champions.

Although they have different levels of participation in the ASG, both of them agree that something’s gotta change.

For Antetokounmpo, he only repeated what he has been thinking in the past years – Team USA vs Team World.

“I would love that. I think it’d be the most interesting & most exciting format…I think that would give me a little more extra juice,” he told reporters after the game.

Lillard wants to go back to the old format but with a little bit of twist. He wants to raise the stakes.
Feb 16, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Shaq’s OGs guard Damian Lillard (0) of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after a play against Candace’s Rising Stars during the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
“Dame Lillard wants to go back to an East-West All-Star game, says her be fine with home court in the Finals being on the line. Alternately, he says if this format stays, maybe an “all Snub” team would be better as the 4th team instead of the Rising Stars,” Lillard was quoted as saying by Rachel Nicols.

All-Star 2025 was met with mixed reviews by fans, but the new format didn’t stop players like Giannis Antetokounmpo from having a good time. The Milwaukee Bucks star got to interact with many of his peers in the league as well as other celebrities, some of which was captured on his mic’d up.

Feb 16, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Chuck’s Global Stars forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) of the Milwaukee Bucks during player introductions before the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Giannis Laughed With Victor Wembanyama About Coming Off the Bench

Antetokounmpo was selected as a member of Charles Barkley’s team for the 4-team tournament on Sunday and was teammates with San Antonio Spurs prodigy Victor Wembanyama. Although the Greek Freak was already going to be sidelined for the game due to a lingering calf issue, Wembanyama, who earlier had voiced that he would be approaching All-Star Weekend with a high level of focus and determination, was also not in the starting lineup for Team Chuck. This fact led Antetokounmpo to make a light-hearted comment to the French superstar.

Hey brother, you will never come off the bench in your career. What are you talking about? What!? Brother you will never come off the bench!

Jan 31, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

The former number one pick, “Wemby” has not had to come off the bench in his career when healthy. The same cannot be said for Antetokounmpo, who entered the NBA as a “project” and only started in 23 games his rookie year and did not become a full-time starter until the following season.

There are many paths to NBA stardom, and while Giannis and Victor have each taken their own path, they seemed to enjoy being teammates at All-Star Weekend.

Heat @ Mavericks – NBA Game Preview for February 13, 2025 08:30 PM EST

Giannis Made Sure Charles Barkley Know He Wouldn’t Be Able to Guard the Likes of Wembanyama or Nikola Jokic

As warm-ups commenced, Giannis chopped it up with his coach and made sure to let Barkley that he would not have been able to guard the All-Star bigs on his team back in the day.

Back in the day, you couldn’t guard him. You could not guard him. So anything you say on TV that does not matter. You never face something like this. I got to face [Wembanyama]. I got to face [Jokic]. This is what I got to deal with.

The NBA has never seen players like Wembanyama or Nikola Jokic, both modern bigs with incredibly rare skillsets. While Barkley was known for having plenty of guard skill back in his day, both Wemby and the Joker have that and more at over 7 feet tall. Barkley could not help but laugh at Giannis’ comments and agreed that he would not have been able to stop them.

Jan 29, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) controls the ball as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) guards in the fourth quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The Antetokounmpo Family Got in on the Action Despite Giannis Not Playing

Although the Bucks star was not playing in the game, Giannis was able to sit courtside with his eldest children, Liam and Maverick. After introducing them to the referee and helping them listen in the pre-game huddle, the trio then sat on the end of the bench to enjoy the matchup between Chuck’s International Stars and Kenny’s Young Stars.

Nov 22, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) plays with his son, Maverick Shai, 3, during warmups before game against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

The kids certainly seemed to be having a blast, with plenty of screaming and cheering, some of which was directly into the microphone. Giannis at one point told his sons to “stay quiet now so they can focus” in a moment that all parents will be able to relate to.

Jayson Tatum: The NBA’s Youngest OG Shocking the League!

Jayson Tatum is just 19 years 26 years young, soon to be 27 in March. Somehow, he ended up on “Shaq’s OG” team for the All-Star Game, an ensemble of the league’s aging icons. He and Jaylen Brown were the only players under 30 to be on the roster. The next youngest was 31-year-old Anthony Davis, who was actually replaced by 32-year-old Kyrie Irving.

Jalen Brunson, who is 28 years old, ended up playing for “Kenny’s Young Stars,” the team meant to represent the younger, up-and-coming players. So, why was Tatum labeled an “OG” despite Brunson being older than him? Well, it all comes down to the resume. Jayson Tatum has already created a legacy that not many can touch, all before even turning 27.

Brunson is an outstanding player in his own right, but he doesn’t have the prolonged excellence that JT does. In just seven years, Jayson has racked up six All-Star selections, four All-NBA selections, three of them to the First Team, an Eastern Conference Finals MVP, a championship ring, and two Olympic gold medals. He also holds the record for the most points in a Game 7, most playoff points scored before turning 27, and the 7th most career points scored before turning 27. His accomplishments up to this point would already be enough to get him into the Hall of Fame, and he hasn’t even hit his prime yet.

Being an OG isn’t just about being good at what you do, though. It’s about earning the respect and leaving an imprint on the younger generation. Despite what the mainstream sports outlets and the Twitter trolls may tell you, Jayson has done more than enough to earn the regard of his peers. You don’t have to take my word for it; just look at how the players talked about him during All-Star Weekend.

Bleacher Report asked this year’s Rising Stars about their “welcome to the league” moments. To nobody’s surprise, multiple players mentioned Big Deuce. JD Davison, who was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2022, said that in his first year he was matched up with Jayson in a game of starters vs. bench. He took a hit to the chest from Jayson, and recalled feeling like, “Damn, man. Gotta get stronger.”

Chicago Bulls rookie, Matas Buzelis, shared a similar sentiment, though he was too embarrassed to go into detail. He jokingly said “It was tough. Let’s not talk about that.”

San Antonio Spurs rookie, Stephon Castle, had some high praise for Jayson as well. Tatum and Castle briefly matched up in the first round of the All-Star Game, where the OG’s knocked off the Rising Stars. Following the game, CelticsBlog’s Noa Dalzell caught up with Stephon and asked him about the experience of competing against JT.

Harden Sends Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown Message…

For the past few years, many in the basketball world, including Boston Celtics fans, have debated about who the next face of the NBA will be once legends like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant hang them up for good. While there are plenty of worthy names in the league today, Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden gave an answer that should please Celtics fans.

Ahead of Sunday’s All-Star Game event, the former NBA MVP named a few players he believes could be the face of the league in the near future. In doing so, he specifically named Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown as two players who could “carry this league.”

“I don’t think it’s one player,” Harden said when asked who the next face of the NBA could be. “They gotta do it as a collective unit, but obviously, you got somebody like Wemby, you got Shai, who’s probably going to be MVP, you got Anthony Edwards.”

After naming those players, Harden added, “You got a lot of guys. Obviously, [Jayson Tatum] and Jaylen Brown. There’s a lot of guys that can carry this league.”

Tatum and Brown have been teammates since 2017 and have played exceptionally well together. In their time together in Boston, they have won one championship so far and made two NBA Finals appearances. Furthermore, they have combined for 10 All-Star appearances and five All-NBA selections.

Both stars are still under 30 years old and have plenty of great basketball left to play. The sky is the limit for them, and as Harden says, they could both be the face of the NBA soon enough.

BREAKING: Jayson Tatum Sends Two-Word Message to Damian Lillard After NBA All-Star Game

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard have been at the forefront of the Eastern Conference playoff race, with both teams sitting in the top five in the standings.

Tatum and Lillard have gone head-to-head three times this season and the Celtics were able to win all three by a combined 23 points. But the tides turned on Sunday night as both stars were selected to Shaq’s OGs for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game.

Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry was named the All-Star MVP, but many fans thought Tatum deserved the award. Through two games, the former Duke star totaled 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting, four assists and five rebounds.

 

 

Shaq’s OGs forward Jayson Tatum and guard Damian Lillard

Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Lillard, who won All-Star Game MVP last season, added nine points on 3-of-6 shooting, three rebounds and three assists. However, all of his points came in Shaq’s OGs’ first contest of the mini-tournament, a 42-35 win over Candace Parker’s Rising Stars.

On Monday, Lillard took to Instagram to make a post highlighting his experience in San Francisco. He included numerous photos of himself at the event along with a lengthy caption.

“9X ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️… @nbaallstar 2025 was great. Being back home in front of all my family and friends was special. We did some of everything and it all counted! Another one in the books… we keep moving now 🙏🏽🤞🏾👌🏾.”

Tatum took notice of Lillard’s post-All-Star game message and responded with a two-word message: “My dawg 🤞🏽.”

Tatum and the Celtics (39-16) were riding a three-game winning streak going into All-Star Weekend. They will look to make it four when they face Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday.

Lillard and the Bucks, on the other hand, have lost six of their last nine games, falling to 29-24. They will look to right the ship against James Harden and the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday as well.

Caitlin Clark receives Taylor Swift comparison from new Fever coach Stephanie White

‘She tries to live her life in an authentic way,’ Stephanie White said of Caitlin Clark

Seeing the meteoric rise of Caitlin Clark’s celebrity on and off the court has new Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White seeing only one comparison.

“She’s very much Taylor Swift 2.0,” White told The Athletic during a Q&A interview.

Clark’s fame from her days at Iowa, where she became the NCAA’s all-time leading Division I scorer for both men and women, only rose this past season after she was selected No. 1 overall by the Fever.

Clark went on to win Rookie of the Year, while also making the WNBA All-Star team. And she broke numerous rookie and league records on the way to ultimately being named TIME’s Athlete of the Year.

With heightened fame, Clark has faced criticism on and off the court, and every movement is naturally dissected by those looking on.

So, Clark’s ability to manage that rapid rise in fame while still being dedicated to her craft is the reason why White can’t help but compare her to the world’s biggest pop star.

“I think first and foremost, she does an outstanding job of managing it all,” White explained to The Athletic. “Like, she’s incredibly humble. She understands the big picture. So, she views it understanding her celebrity, No. 1. But No. 2, she’s a Midwest kid, a Midwest person, and she is who she is. She tries to live her life in an authentic way. But she’s very much Taylor Swift 2.0.”

White, who was hired in November 2024 after Christie Sides was relieved of her duties, said it’s up to her and her staff to “protect her” as that celebrity status continues to grow.

“So, I think from my perspective, and from our staff and franchise, it’s how do we help her navigate all of this? How do we help her protect her peace? Because it can be a lot. How can we be a resource for her? It’s a different level now with social media and fan engagement. We want to be a resource and help protect her.”

It feels right White compared Clark to Swift considering their connection that has already been seen in public. Clark and Swift were spotted watching a Kansas City Chiefs playoff game last month, sitting next to each other in a suite at Arrowhead Stadium.

Also, Clark was spotted at Swift’s Eras Tour on multiple stops this past year, as she is a big fan of her music.

Like Swift, Clark is certainly hoping to continue making an impact in her field by the year, and White touched on the offseason work that shows her a “stronger” point guard on her roster.

“She’s got a lot of self-awareness,” White said of Clark. “She figured out right away that ‘I need to get stronger. I can’t get knocked around as much.’ She’s done a great job of getting in the weight room and focusing on her strength, in terms of low center of gravity, time under tension, all of those things. I think the next step is efficiency. Not so many turnovers, higher field goal percentages.”

The Fever have also been proactive in getting some more talent around Clark and Aliyah Boston, most notably adding two-time WNBA champion and six-time All-Star forward DeWanna Bonner. Natasha Howard, a three-time champion and two-time All-Star, will also be on the roster for 2025.

So, expectations are naturally raised with a better starting five on the floor for Indiana. White understands that, and also knows making sure Clark can be her normal self on the floor — not worried about the outside noise and the celebrity status — will hopefully lead the Fever to their championship goals.

“From a coaching perspective, keep the main thing the main thing,” she said about Clark. “Help her protect her peace and then help her continue to grow on the basketball court. We let our players know sometimes you gotta minimize the noise around you and focus on what our job is. Our job is to put the best team and the best product on the floor that we’re capable of doing.”