“I dreaded being in Indiana…” A’ja Wilson gives UNFILTERED comment on Fever and Caitlin Clark fans
Las Vegas Aces superstar A'ja Wilson reveals what her mindset was when facing Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever this WNBA season.
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Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark and Las Vegas Aces superstar and WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson
The problems faced by WNBA players whenever they play against the Indiana Fever have been talked about a lot recently. After many players spoke up, coaches also joined in to condemn the acts of racism and hate that some sections of fans have brought to the league. Even Caitlin Clark spoke up and called those fans trolls.
Now league MVP A’ja Wilson has some words to say about them. The two-time WNBA champion was interviewed by ESPN’s Tyler R. Tynes. When their discussion led to the topic of what Black women have been dealing with this past season, the Las Vegas Aces superstar gave her two cents on dealing with Indiana fans.
I dreaded being in Indiana, not because it was like the city or nothing, it was just like, I just don’t want no s**t to pop off.
A’ja Wilson said
By this, Wilson meant that she dreaded that if she or any of her Black teammates ended up bumping into or hurting Caitlin Clark, the predominantly white Indiana Fever fanbase would have taken out their anger on them. The same way fans were enraged with Angel Reese‘s teammates Chennedy Carter and Diamond DeShields faced after their respective incidents.
A’ja Wilson has never shied away from talking about the disadvantages faced by Black athletes. Since the start of the season, she maintained that the spotlight shining on Clark could have been shown on the Black women who were playing at an elite level.
For the Las Vegas Aces star, one of the most accomplished women’s basketball players, dreading going into Indiana reveals a lot about the mindset Black WNBA players had. They all wanted to compete hard but not too hard as it led to different race-based issues.
A’ja Wilson’s remarks throw light on problems WNBA players face going up against Caitlin Clark
Connecticut Sun star DiJonai Carrington was the latest WNBA player to feel the heat from Indiana Fever fans. Her accidental poking of Caitlin Clark’s eye led her to receive vitriol from fans on social.
Caitlin Clark herself threw away the notion that Carrington hurt her purposely. Later on, the Sun guard revealed the extent of threats and hate-laced messages she was receiving from fans. Only when her teammates, head coach, and the WNBA stepped in did everything die down.
It goes to show that A’ja Wilson’s words hold some weight. She knows that players bumping and fouling the Indiana Fever rookie have had to face the brunt of those fans.
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Joseph Varghese
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