WNBA players reveal ‘super scary’ privacy and safety fears after Caitlin Clark stalker incident

The women’s basketball community has been rocked by the public revelation of Caitlin Clark’s stalker. Other players in the sport are now speaking out about their own fears and experiences with security and privacy breaches. News of Clark’s stalker came out just a month after a man pleaded guilty to stalking UConn women’s basketball star Paige Bueckers.

Ahead of the opening week of the upstart 3-on-3 league, Unrivaled, many of the participating WNBA players spoke out about the issue.

Connecticut Sun player DiJonai Carrington, who gave Clark a black eye in their playoff series in September, told The Associated Press that she has received cyber threats and must be on the lookout for other threats when she goes out in public.

“It’s super unfortunate that it’s going on, but I think as the game grows, it’s going to continue to happen because some people are just crazy and not in their right mind and need to be held accountable for these things, Carrington said. . “But I don’t think it’s going to stop, honestly. We have to do things and go above and beyond and try to protect ourselves.”

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New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart says she and other players have had to be conscious of how they use social media to make sure they don’t give away their real-time whereabouts.

“We have a ton of security here and you see them everywhere,” Stewart said. “We make sure that whether we’re posting pictures or social media, nothing is real-time because that’s when it’s like they’re really able to figure out where you are.”

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Breanna Stewart and her wife, Marta Xargay, were victims during the WNBA Finals in October, receiving threatening anonymous emails after Game 1.

Clark’s fever teammate, Aliyah Boston, called the conditions she and other players face “super scary.”

“It’s super scary and I feel sorry for Paige, Caitlin, (Breanna) and everyone’s family because it’s not something you ever want to experience,” she said. “But I think everyone around us does a great job of trying to make sure we feel safe and making sure they’re responsive to everything. If we’re unsure about something, they’re on it. They know exactly , what they should do.”

Unmatched co-founder Napheesa Collier said the league has had meetings with players recently.

“I think it’s scary. Just naturally when we’re more accessible to people, things like this happen,” Collier said. “We had a safety meeting the other day.”

The Texas man identified as Clark’s alleged stalker, Michael Lewis, walked into Marion County Superior Court, leaned back in his chair and told Judge Angela Davis he was “guilty as charged” earlier this week.

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Davis suggested to Lewis that he exercise his right to remain silent and enter a plea of ​​not guilty on his behalf because she would not accept otherwise in a preliminary hearing.

Lewis was ordered held on $50,000 bail and ordered to stay away from Gainbridge Fieldhouse and Hinkle Fieldhouse, where the Fever and Butler Bulldogs play, respectively. Clark’s boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, is an assistant for Butler’s men’s basketball team.

Lewis, 55, was charged with stalking and threatening sexual violence or death, Fox 59 reported citing court documents. The charge is a felony, and he faces up to six years in prison if convicted.

Lewis allegedly sent Clark sexually explicit messages through his X account. One message said he had driven around her house several times and urged her “not to call the law yet.” He also reportedly talked about going to a Fever game and sitting behind the bench.

Authorities said they spoke with Lewis about the messages on Jan. 8, according to the news station. He reportedly told authorities he was going to Indianapolis on vacation and downplayed the number of messages he sent to the WNBA sharpshooter.

“It takes a lot of courage for women to come forward in these cases, and that’s why many don’t,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said via FOX 59. “In doing so, the victim sets an example for all women who deserve to live and work in Indy without the threat of sexual violence.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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