Key Takeaways
- Caitlin Clark condemned racist attacks against Fever teammate Kelsey Mitchell, saying anyone using her name to spread hate does not represent her values.
- Clark backed the unrestricted free agent’s return to Indiana, saying, “We need her. We love her,” after Mitchell described the strain of playing for hostile fans.
- Amid wider complaints about Fever spectators and online abuse across the WNBA, Clark said fan behavior has a line that “can’t be crossed.”
Caitlin Clark is speaking out against racist attacks directed at Indiana Fever teammate Kelsey Mitchell, making it clear that anyone using her name to spread hate doesn't represent her or what she stands for.
During her season-ending media availability on Thursday, October 8, Clark addressed Mitchell's recent comments about the abuse she's endured while playing for Indiana. The Fever guard said she spoke privately with Mitchell and was disturbed by what her longtime teammate experienced.
"As far as people that have used me to demonstrate racist rhetoric or hate or discrimination, that's not something I stand for," Clark told reporters, per ESPN. "That's never been something I've stood for."
Clark added that such behavior goes against her upbringing and personal values.
"For those of you that know me, you know that's not what I'm about. It's not how I was raised, so that's really disappointing when people do that."
Mitchell, who has spent all nine of her WNBA seasons with Indiana, previously acknowledged that the attention surrounding the franchise has made playing for the Fever difficult at times.
"Showing up every day to compete for fans that may or may not like you is hard," Mitchell said during her own season-ending media session.
The veteran guard is now an unrestricted free agent after setting the WNBA's single-season scoring record. Although Indiana hopes to retain her, Mitchell has indicated that her decision will involve more than basketball.
Clark made her position on Mitchell's future clear. "There's nobody I would want to share the backcourt with other than her," Clark said. "We need her. We love her."
She added, "I hope for the rest of my career I get to play alongside her."
The controversy surrounding Indiana's fan base extends beyond Mitchell.
"You don't step toward me," Wilson told reporters afterward. "You never should sit and point at me."
Wilson's confrontation drew criticism from Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who questioned whether pointing at a player warranted that reaction.
"Like grow up! What are we doing?" Cunningham said on her No Hesitation podcast.
The Aces' Jackie Young also complained about spectators during an August matchup in Indianapolis. In both incidents involving Aces players, arena officials determined that the fans had not violated the applicable conduct rules.
Meanwhile, Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas reported receiving racial slurs and death threats following an on-court incident involving Clark.
The issue has also created disagreement within Indiana's own organization. Fever general manager Amber Cox recently rejected broader criticism of the team's supporters, saying attacks on the fan bases had "no basis in reality." Former Fever player Brianna Turner publicly disputed that assessment.
Clark acknowledged that the WNBA's expanding audience has brought increased scrutiny, but said acceptable fan behavior has limits.
"I think there's certainly a line, and that can't be crossed," she said.
She also emphasized her appreciation for supporters who respect the players, explaining that she limits her own social media activity to avoid online hostility.
"I just try to block out the noise the best I can," Clark said.
