Last Saturday, Chicago Sky guard, Chennedy Carter, shoved Caitlin Clark to the hardwood after a made basket, which made headlines instantly. A few weeks ago, A’ja Wilson, was asked if she believed that Caitlin Clark’s race had to do with her impressive marketability, and the Las Vegas Aces phenom responded by stating that “I think it’s a huge thing. I think a lot of people may say it’s not about black and white, but to me, it is. It really is because you can be top notch at what you are as a black woman, but yet maybe that’s something that people don’t want to see.” Wilson also mentioned that “They don’t see it as marketable, so it doesn’t matter how hard I work. It doesn’t matter what we all do as black women, we’re still going to be swept underneath the rug. That’s why it boils my blood when people say it’s not about race because it is.”
So, I suppose my major question is, why can’t WNBA players accept the fact that Clark is receiving high praise due to her fascinating style of play? Sure, there are other talented players in the WNBA today, but how many of them are routinely drilling Steph Curry-esque step back triples while moving to their left? Or frequently setting her defenders up before sprinting off of double/down screens to free herself up on the perimeter? Well, the answer is zero and deep down, that is truly where all of the animosity stems from. Established WNBA veterans simply can’t fathom the idea that a rookie could enter the league and immediately attract more viewers to the sport. They feel as though they must deliver unnecessary cheap shots and constantly mention her name while interacting with the media in order to maintain relevancy. It shouldn’t be challenging for players to give Clark her flowers while simultaneously focusing on helping their respective teams secure as many wins as possible. You don’t have to be a super fan of hers, you just can’t remain oblivious to the fact that her flashy brand of basketball is what’s giving the WNBA the recognition that it has been craving for years. So please, leave the race-baiting and attention-seeking alone, because it won’t help you advance your career in any way, shape or form.
