As the Chicago Sky prepare to take on the Washington Mystics on Thursday night, the team was treated to an unwelcome visitor the day before the game. He pulled out a camera and began attacking security guard Chennedy Carter..
Carter was at the center of attention last weekend when he hip-checked Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark. The hard foul led to a bitter debate over whether Clark was being “targeted” by opponents, with the Chicago Tribune editorial board writing: Embarrassing editorial compares theatre to assault.
Carter’s play was a cowardly act, and the league correctly changed it to a flagrant foul after the game. This is not the kind of gross criminal behavior that often occurs during a basketball game. The debate over the play has been WNBA And the entire sports world has been in turmoil, which apparently led to a strange man harassing Carter in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night.
Sky players, including rookie Angel Reese, tweeted about the incident when it happened. Security personnel quickly brought the situation under control. Here’s what three Sky players tweeted about the incident:
“It’s really disgusting that people are taking cameras into the team hotel when they get off the bus and shoving them in their teammates’ faces to harass them. This is really outrageous and it needs to stop.”
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) June 5, 2024
Wow! Thanks security. It’s crazy that my teammates are being harassed in the hotel! They can’t even get off the bus!
— Isabel Harrison (@OMG_itsizzyb) June 5, 2024
Being harassed in a hotel is where the line needs to be drawn. Some “fans” just can’t chill.
— Michaela Onyenwere (@monyenwere_) June 5, 2024
We had security with us and they did a great job calming the situation and protecting us, but still, it was very strange and borderline crossing to have them see us the moment we got off the bus. https://t.co/HZZ60ytx3E
— Michaela Onyenwere (@monyenwere_) June 5, 2024
What is wrong with people?
The WNBA has certainly seen a big boost in attendance and viewership, thanks in part to the interest that rookies like Clark, Reese and Cameron Brink have brought to the league. Clark is clearly a standout after a record-breaking collegiate career. Her addition is a double-edged sword for the league: while it raises the profile of the league, it also sparks some spiteful discussion from people who don’t have much interest in actually attending games.
“Under no circumstances will it be tolerated to harass players as they exit the team bus. Whoever did it is a bad person with no real interest in the league. Clarke did not ask for any of this. This is all unacceptable and needs to stop immediately.”
