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As the WNBA investigates whether fans at Gainbridge Arena in Indianapolis harassed Sky star Angel Reese with racial slurs and other egregious taunts in the season opener Saturday, the Fever expressed support after practice Monday.
“We want every person who comes into our arena, whether player or fan, to have a great experience, so I appreciate the league doing that,” Fever guard Caitlin Clark told reporters. “I appreciate that the Fever organization has been at the forefront of that since Day 1.”
Clark was at the center of the incident that sent the crowd into an uproar during the Fever’s 93-58 win. She committed a flagrant foul on Reese in the third quarter, and the volume in the building surged as she shot her two free throws.
Reese went after Clark verbally after the play, but held back afterward and brushed it off as a “basketball play.” She otherwise has not commented on the play or the environment at the game.
“We want to encourage our players, our staff to bring recognition to it in real time, if it’s heard, if it’s seen, anything from that nature,” Fever coach Stephanie White said. “here’s just no place for that in our league. It’s great to be a fan, but don’t be a jerk. Be respectful and be passionate. It’s not that hard to not be a jerk. Enjoy our game, enjoy what our women do on a daily basis, boo the other team, but there’s no place for [racism or harassment] in our game.”
