Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark’s third WNBA season has already generated plenty of headlines.
Her on-court play and body language have been discussed in nearly equal amounts. WNBA analyst Cari Champion recently gave her opinion on Clark’s body language during games and received swift backlash from Clark’s fans.
Cari Champion Calls Out Unhinged Caitlin Clark Fans For Their Behavior
After getting a ton of heat for her comments on Clark’s body language, Champion addressed Clark’s fandom on the “Flagrant and Funny Show” with co-host Jemele Hill.
“There is that vitriol that comes with her clan of people who support her that I can’t really get behind,” Champion said. “I think that I understand if you’re upset and you don’t like her. It comes with all players, but it’s a layer of coded language that feels like racism. I’ve never been called so many n-words, and see you next Tuesdays and jealous.
“Some of her fans are so unhinged and I think it speaks to a larger issue of what’s happening in our world today and people don’t wanna talk about it, but it is a microcosm of a bigger problem that we have with this hatred of black vs. white and being so polarized.”
Champion finished her point by adding: “Caitlin Clark clan have made it about race and made it about something that has nothing to do with what’s happening actually on the court.”
Champion caught the ire of Clark fans after criticizing the star guard’s body language and attitude at times. Champion believes Clark’s behavior makes her seem unlikable at times. Clark’s behavior has been questionable to even some of her most vocal supporters at times.
Clark recently went viral for her intense sideline discussion with head coach Stephanie White, and she struggles to hide her frustration at times. She complains to referees about missed calls, drops her shoulders, and has clearly irritated facial expressions at times as well. Some Clark fans argue that her behavior is a sign of her passion and dedication to winning. Recently, Clark echoed this sentiment.
“It’s something I can always work on. … But at the same time, that competitive fire and that drive and that passion, that joy and that edge, that’s what people come to watch. That’s what they love,” Clark said.
However, Champion believes that some of Clark’s fans consistently cross the line while defending her. There’s been underlying tension ever since Clark arrived in the WNBA and brought millions of new fans with her.
Some of Clark’s fans argue that there’s nothing wrong with simply wanting to support her while not showing interest in embracing some of the league’s other top stars like Las Vegas Aces’ star A’ja Wilson.
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Some critics of Clark’s passionate fan base believe they go out of their way to disrespect the league’s other top players in order to ensure that Clark gets recognized as the face of the WNBA. Champion’s comments will likely start a new round of conversation regarding what’s acceptable and what isn’t when it comes to Clark’s passionate fan base defending her.
Clark previously stated that she doesn’t want to be associated with any form of hate. The conversation regarding her fan base is certain to continue while she focuses on helping the Fever win the WNBA championship.
