WNBA star fumes over ‘unacceptable’ racist abuse from Caitlin Clark’s fanbase after playoff win over Indiana
Alyssa Thomas has had enough with the Indiana Fever’s fan base and their ‘unacceptable’ racist abuse while supporting Caitlin Clark and the rest of her teammates.
Thomas blasted the Fever’s fans after she helped the Connecticut Sun eliminate the Fever from the postseason and advance to the WNBA semifinals.
Inside Mohegan Sun Arena, one fan was heard mocking Dijonai Carrington’s eyelashes, while another had a shirt that said ‘ban nails’ with large fake nails coming from each finger.
‘It’s been a lot of nonsense, I think in my 11-year career, I’ve never experienced the racial comments from the Indiana Fever fan base,’ Thomas said.
‘We had (Carrington’s) face on a serious matter that happened in this world and it’s unacceptable, honestly. And there’s no place for it and we’ve been professional throughout the whole entire thing, but I’ve never been called the things that I’ve been called on social media.’
Alyssa Thomas spoke out on the ‘unacceptable’ racist abuse from Indiana Fever fans
Caitlin Clark’s season ended on Wednesday night with the Fever losing to the Connecticut Sun
Thomas is referring to Carrington’s ‘eye poke’ from Sunday’s game and whether she intended to hurt Clark.
‘And there’s no place or it. Basketball is headed in a great direction, but we don’t want fans that are going to degrade us and call us racial names. We already see what’s happening in the world and what we have to deal with in that aspect.’
‘We come to play basketball for our job and it’s fun, but we don’t want to go to work every day and have social media blown up over things like that. It’s uncalled for and something needs to be done, whether it’s them checking their fans, or the league checking it. There’s no time for it anymore.’
The WNBA also put out a statement on Wednesday night after the Sun’s victory over the Fever.
‘The WNBA is a competitive league with some of the most elite athletes in the world. While we welcome a growing fan base, the WNBA will not tolerate racist, derogatory, or threatening comments made about players, teams and anyone affiliated with the league,’ the statement read.
‘League security is actively monitoring threat-related activity and will work directly with teams and arenas to take appropriate measures, to include involving law enforcement, as necessary.’
