Chicago Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon responded to Chennedy Carter’s flagrant foul against Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark, emphasizing that the behavior was “not appropriate” and did not represent the team’s values.
“Chennedy understands that there are better ways to handle situations on the court, and she will learn from this, as we all will,” Weatherspoon stated.
The incident occurred late in the third quarter of Chicago’s narrow 71-70 defeat to the Fever, when Carter, after making a mid-range jumper, hip-checked Clark during an inbounds play. Initially called as a simple foul away from the ball, the league later upgraded it to a flagrant foul.
The foul attracted significant attention primarily because Clark, a prominent new talent and the WNBA’s 2024 No. 1 overall pick, was involved.
The Fever have criticized what they see as consistently unfair officiating against Clark. Additionally, there’s a growing perception that veteran players are targeting Clark in a manner not typically directed at rookies.
Carter added to the controversy by indirectly calling Clark overrated in a social media post.
The incident and subsequent reactions highlight deeper systemic issues within the WNBA, where discussions about race and representation have intensified. As the league gains more visibility, the scrutiny and commentary around its players, who are predominantly Black women, have also increased.
Weatherspoon hopes her remarks will help cool tensions, but the fallout from Carter’s foul is likely to be revisited when the Sky and the Fever face off again on June 16.
Chicago Sky Coach Teresa Whiterspoon Released a Statement on Chennedy Carter’s Flagrant Foul On Caitlin Clark
