Fever Coach Stephanie White’s Blunt Response to DeWanna Bonner’s Potential Departure

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Jun 24, 2025 10:30 PM ET

In her first year back with the Indiana Fever, Stephanie White has seen her team struggle to begin the 2025 WNBA season, falling to 6-7.

But the Fever had a chance to get back to .500 and end their road trip with a win, taking on Nneka Ogwumike and the Seattle Storm on Tuesday night.

Indiana has been shorthanded over their last four games. Veteran forward DeWanna Bonner has been out due to personal reasons, and she did not make the West Coast trip with the team.

According to Front Office Sports’ Annie Costabile, Bonner has no desire to return to the Fever and has listed her preferred destinations as the Phoenix Mercury and Atlanta Dream.

Ahead of Tuesday night’s game, White spoke to the media during a pregame press conference. When asked if she had spoken with Bonner amid the recent news, White said she wasn’t focused on it.

“I haven’t had a lot of conversations with her recently, really focused on the team we have right here and what we need to do to position ourselves to win,” White said.

Stephanie White on the reports that DeWanna Bonner does not intend to return to the Fever:

“I haven’t had a lot of conversations with her recently, really focused on the team we have right here.” pic.twitter.com/i345jiuTjD
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) June 25, 2025

After spending the last five seasons with the Connecticut Sun, Bonner signed a one-year, $200,000 contract with the Fever in February. She initially started the first three games of the season, but after struggling, Bonner was replaced by Lexie Hull.

Through nine games played, Bonner was averaging 7.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 21.3 minutes per game. Her average playing time this year ties a career low.

Following the Storm game, the Fever will wrap up their road trip and return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to face the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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