Inquiring about the WNBA’s “excessive attack” on Caitlin Clark, an Indiana congressman.
Congressman from Indiana is criticizing the WNBA for the way its opponents have treated Caitlin Clark in a letter to commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
In the letter, which was sent on Tuesday, Congressman Jim Banks (R, IN-3) emphasized Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter’s hip check on Clark during the game on Saturday.
He denounced it as a “excessive attack” and said that Angel Reese, Carter’s teammate, encouraged and supported the action.
Indiana is a state that loves hoops. Although aggressive defense doesn’t make us cringe, this was not a “tough” play, according to Banks.
“That was a cheap shot that should not have been allowed because it could have caused an injury.”
Banks recommended that in addition to upgrading Carter’s infraction to a Flagrant 1, the WNBA punish Carter and the Sky for Reese’s failure to make herself available to the media following the game.
Banks suggested the WNBA should discipline Carter and the Sky beyond its decision to upgrade Carter’s foul to a Flagrant 1 and fine the Sky and Reese for failing to make herself available to the media after the game.
Banks said the WNBA “refuses to hold hostile players accountable and enforce their own rules of sportsmanship.”
“It is not only a disservice to Clark and the Indiana Fever, it’s a disservice to the millions of young girls who are watching with dreams of playing in the WNBA one day,” he added.
He ended the letter by asking Englebert to respond to four questions, including if the league will take steps “to curb excessive physical targeting of specific players.”
In an in-game interview with ESPN following Saturday’s contest, Clark stated she “wasn’t expecting” Carter’s harsh foul, characterizing it as “not a basketball play.” Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon referred to Carter’s conduct as “not appropriate” on Monday. In response to a question about additional discipline, Weatherspoon stated that Carter and she dealt with it “internally.” The WNBA said that Carter would not face a fine or suspension for the hit that same day.
The league has a points system for tracking when players accumulate enough fouls to warrant a suspension. The WNBA has the option to fine or suspend any player who commits a flagrant foul at any time during the regular season, preseason or playoffs, regardless of whether the point levels are reached.
Reese’s media rules violation cost her $1,000, and the Sky received a $5,000 fine for failing to ensure players comply with WNBA media policies.
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