Amidst a surge in both supportive and critical discussions about the WNBA, Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark recently addressed disturbing trends of racism and misogyny associated with her name.
Her comments were made before her team secured a 91-84 victory over the Atlanta Dream on Thursday.
“It’s disappointing,” Clark expressed, noting the broader implications of such negative discourse. “I think everyone in our world deserves the same amount of respect. The women around our league deserve the same amount of respect. People should not be using my name to push those agendas. It’s disappointing, it’s not acceptable.”
Clark emphasized the fundamental decency owed to her and her fellow players, framing it as a universal necessity. “Respecting us is a basic human thing that everybody should do,” she stated. She reflected on her personal experiences and the influence of other women in the league, saying, “Some of the women in this league were my biggest idols and role models growing up, helping me want to achieve this moment right here that I get to play in every single night. Just be a kind person and treat them how you would want to be treated. I think that’s very simple.”
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The backdrop to these statements included a contentious exchange on social media involving Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington, who had earlier criticized Clark for focusing solely on basketball during a pre-game shootaround.
Clark responded to the broader social media commentary by maintaining a focus on her sport: “What people say online is not something I can control,” she remarked. “I don’t put too much thought and time into thinking about things like that, and to be honest, I don’t see a lot of it. Basketball is my job. Everything on the outside, I can’t control that, so I’m not going to spend time thinking about that.”
Selected as the top overall pick in this season’s WNBA draft, Clark has frequently been at the center of media attention not only due to her exceptional talent but also due to recent controversies, such as being omitted from the Team USA Olympic roster. These incidents have fueled ongoing discussions surrounding her impact on and off the court.
Looking ahead, the spotlight will continue to shine on Clark as her Fever prepare to take on the Chicago Sky, which features fellow rookies Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso.
These players led their respective college teams past Clark’s Iowa squad in the last two NCAA national championships.
This upcoming game, which promises to be a compelling showcase of rookie talent, is scheduled for Sunday, June 16, at noon ET and will be broadcast nationally on CBS.
