Stephen A. Smith: Black WNBA players resent Caitlin Clark attention

Since arriving in the WNBA a year ago, Caitlin Clark has undeniably been the league’s biggest and most marketable superstar. But, following Thursday night’s on-court confrontation with the Atlanta Dream‘s Rhyne Howard, ESPN firebrand Stephen A. Smith suggested some of the Indiana Fever star’s WNBA peers are simply expressing their resentment for Clark’s unparalleled rise to superstardom.

“The issue is anytime she gets into a confrontation, because whether we like it or not — I’m not trying to say there is a racial dynamic as if it’s something specifically against her — what I’m saying is that Caitlin Clark came into the league with major sizzle, major shine and headlines. She happens to be white,” Smith began during Friday morning’s First Take on ESPN. “And as a result of her greatness combined with her being white, there are plenty of Black players who were excelling on the WNBA level for many years before Cailtin Clark ever arrived that didn’t receive that shine. So, there is resentment from the perspective that, ‘Damn, we were doing this and everybody’s trying to act like it’s just her.’

“They’re not hating on her specifically like she did something. But they do resent the fact that a white player comes along and they’re getting all of this shine when they were doing a lot of great things for the league and for themselves as individual players, and they didn’t receive that level of shine, that marketability, that pizzaz, etc., etc. And there is resentment that emanates from that,” Smith continued. “And how would we know? Because as men, as Black men, we have found ourselves that way from time to time over the course of our lives. So why would it be any different for ladies.”

First Take host Molly Qerim affirmed Smith’s overall sentiment: “A microcosm of a bigger societal issue. Picking up what you’re putting down, Stephen A.”

Smith’s comments come on the heels of another racially-charged debate involving Clark — the former No. 1 overall pick and last season’s WNBA Rookie of the Year — and Chicago Sky foil Angel Reese, whose on-court rivalry with the Iowa alum dates back to college. Reese, who led LSU to a 2023 NCAA Championship win over Clark’s Hawkeyes, reportedly had racist comments directed her way after a particularly heated season-opening matchup between the Fever and the Sky.

WNBA launches investigation into racist comments toward Angel Reese after Caitlin Clark foul

The WNBA released a statement condemning “racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms” after a heated matchup between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky. The WNBA is reportedly investigating allegations of Fever fans making racially insensitive comments toward Sky players.

Specifically, Fever fans allegedly made racist comments toward Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese after Fever star Caitlin Clark‘s foul on her was upgraded to a Flagrant 1 in the third quarter. Boos could be loudly heard on the broadcast while Reese shot her subsequent free throws.

Of course, that’s to be expected for an opposing player. However, the WNBA is examining if there was excessive, racially insensitive behavior from fans. The Indiana Fever is cooperating with the WNBA’s investigation.

“We are aware of the allegations of inappropriate fan conduct during yesterday’s game and we are working closely with the WNBA to complete their investigation,” CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment Mel Raines said in a statement. “We stand firm in our commitment to providing a safe environment for all WNBA players.”

The season-opening win was a blowout 93-58 victory for the Fever. In the win, Clark erupted for 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, connecting on 4-of-her-8 attempts from beyond the arc. Reese led the charge for the Sky, recording 12 points and 17 rebounds, but only shooting 5-14 from the field.

Reese took exception to Clark’s Flagrant 1, charging toward the Fever star after the play. But Clark’s teammate, Aliyah Boston, managed to step in and break up the scuffle before it escalated any further.

— On3’s Grant Grubbs contributed to this report.