WNBA players reveal ‘super scary’ privacy and security fears after Caitlin Clark stalking incident
The women’s basketball community was shaken by the public revelation Stalking Caitlin Clark. Other players in the sport are now speaking out about their own fears and experiences with security and privacy breaches. News of Clark’s stalking came to light just a month after the man pleaded guilty to stalking UConn women’s basketball star Paige Bueckers.
Before the opening of rookie week League 3 on 3, unrivaledmany WNBA players who participated spoke about the issue.
Connecticut Sun player DiJonai Carrington, who bruised Clark in their playoff series in September, told The Associated Press that she has received online threats and has to be on the lookout for other threats when she goes out in public.
“It’s super unfortunate that it’s happening, but I think as the game evolves, it’s going to continue to happen because some people are just crazy and they’re not in their right mind and they should be held accountable for those things,” Carrington said. “But I don’t think it’s going to stop, honestly. We have to do things and go above and beyond and try to protect ourselves.”
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Connecticut Sun’s DiJonai Carrington (21) plays defense during the game against the Indiana Fever during Game 1 of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs on September 22, 2024 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. (Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)
New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart says she and other players have had to be aware of how they use social media to make sure they don’t give away their real-time whereabouts.
“We have a ton of security here and you see them everywhere,” Stewart said. “Making sure that whether we’re posting pictures or social media, nothing is real-time because then it looks like they can really figure out where you are.”
JEMELE HILL QUIETLY DELETED CAITLIN CLARK’S POST AFTER STALKER ARREST
Breanna Stewart and her wife Marta Xargay were victims during the WNBA Finals in October, receiving threatening anonymous emails after the first game.
Clark’s teammate in the fever, Aliyah Boston, called the conditions she and the other players faced “super scary.”
“It’s super scary and I feel sorry for Paige, Caitlin, (Breanne) and all the family because it’s not something you ever want to experience,” she said. “But I think everyone around us does a great job of trying to make sure we feel safe and making sure they’re responsive to everything. If we’re not sure about something, they do it. They know exactly what to do.”
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark against the Dallas Wings in the second half in Indianapolis on September 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Peerless co-founder Napheesa Collier said the league recently had meetings with players.
“I think it’s scary. It’s only natural, because we’re more accessible to people, things like that happen,” Collier said. “We had a security meeting the other day.”
The Texas man identified as Clark’s alleged stalker, Michael Lewis, walked into Marion County Superior Court, leaned back in his chair and told Judge Angela Davis he was “guilty as charged” earlier this week.
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Davis suggested that Lewis exercise his right to remain silent and entered a not guilty plea on his behalf because she was not going to accept anything else at the first hearing.
Lewis was ordered held on $50,000 bail and kept away from Gainbridge Fieldhouse and Hinkle Fieldhouse, where the Fever and Butler Bulldogs play. Clark’s boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, is an assistant on Butler’s men’s basketball team.
Lewis, 55, is charged with stalking and threats of sexual abuse or death, FOX 59 he reported, citing court documents. The charge is a felony and he could face up to six years in prison if convicted.
Caitlin Clark of the All Iowa Attack dribbles during an AAU game at the All Iowa Attack Basketball Fieldhouse on April 22, 2017 in Ames, Iowa. (Luke Lu/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
Lewis allegedly sent Clark sexually explicit messages through your X account. One message said he drove around her house several times and she encouraged her “not to call the law yet.” He also reportedly talked about going to a Fever game and sitting behind the bench.
Authorities said they spoke with Lewis about the messages on Jan. 8, according to the news station. He allegedly told authorities he was going to Indianapolis on vacation and downplayed the number of texts he sent to the WNBA shooting guard.
“It takes a lot of courage for women to come forward in cases like this, which is why so many don’t,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said via FOX 59. “In doing so, the victim sets an example for all women who deserve to live and work in Indy without being sexually harassed violence.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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