What did Caitlin Clark say about the hate against Kelsey Mitchell? Fever star calls out racist abuse
Caitlin Clark has spoken out against the hate directed at her Indiana Fever teammates after Kelsey Mitchell revealed how difficult it can be to play under constant criticism. During her end-of-season press conference on October 8, Clark said she was upset that her teammates had faced abuse because of their connection to her. She also made it clear that she does not support fans who use her name to spread racism or discrimination. Mitchell had discussed the issue days earlier, saying the negative attention had made playing for Indiana harder.
Caitlin Clark Calls Out Fans Targeting Indiana Fever TeammatesMitchell opened up about the pressure during her final media session on October 3. The veteran guard said she had received hateful private messages on social media and faced criticism simply for playing alongside Clark.
“Showing up every day to compete for fans that may or may not like you is hard,” Mitchell said.
Her comments showed how the attention around Clark has affected other players on the team. Clark attracts a large audience, but that attention has also brought negative comments aimed at her teammates.
Clark addressed Mitchell’s remarks during her own media session on Thursday. She said it was upsetting to see a teammate go through that experience, especially when she cares deeply about the people she plays with.
“As her teammate, that makes you upset because you care about your teammates so much, and you don't want any of them to go through something like that,” Clark said.
She also explained that being in the spotlight affects the people around her. Clark said this had happened during her time at Iowa and continued after she joined the Fever in 2024.
The guard then made her position on racist comments clear. She said people who use her name to spread hate do not represent her views or the way she was raised.
“As far as people that have used me to demonstrate racist rhetoric or hate or discrimination, that's not something I stand for. It's never been something I've stood for,” Clark said.
She added that seeing this kind of behavior made her sad and disappointed. Clark also referred to tennis star Coco Gauff, who has spoken about her own experiences with racism in sports.
Caitlin Clark Wants Kelsey Mitchell to Stay With the FeverClark’s defense of Mitchell was not limited to condemning online abuse. She also made it clear that she wants to keep playing alongside her teammate.
Mitchell has spent her entire nine-year WNBA career with Indiana and is now an unrestricted free agent. Her future with the Fever remains uncertain, making her recent comments especially important for the team.
Clark praised Mitchell as a teammate and said she hopes they can continue playing together. She also stressed that she values their partnership on the court.
The Fever have faced questions about their fans’ behavior after several players spoke about negative experiences this season. The Guardian reported on October 4 that current and former players had challenged the team’s defense of its fanbase. The discussion grew after players raised concerns about hostile interactions and online abuse.
Clark’s message was direct: supporting her does not mean attacking her teammates. She said she appreciates fans who support the team but does not want her name used to excuse racist or hateful behavior.
Mitchell has not announced her next move in free agency. For now, Clark has made clear that she values their partnership and hopes to continue sharing the backcourt with her.
Caitlin Clark Calls Out Fans Targeting Indiana Fever TeammatesMitchell opened up about the pressure during her final media session on October 3. The veteran guard said she had received hateful private messages on social media and faced criticism simply for playing alongside Clark.
“Showing up every day to compete for fans that may or may not like you is hard,” Mitchell said.
Her comments showed how the attention around Clark has affected other players on the team. Clark attracts a large audience, but that attention has also brought negative comments aimed at her teammates.
Clark addressed Mitchell’s remarks during her own media session on Thursday. She said it was upsetting to see a teammate go through that experience, especially when she cares deeply about the people she plays with.
“As her teammate, that makes you upset because you care about your teammates so much, and you don't want any of them to go through something like that,” Clark said.
She also explained that being in the spotlight affects the people around her. Clark said this had happened during her time at Iowa and continued after she joined the Fever in 2024.
The guard then made her position on racist comments clear. She said people who use her name to spread hate do not represent her views or the way she was raised.
“As far as people that have used me to demonstrate racist rhetoric or hate or discrimination, that's not something I stand for. It's never been something I've stood for,” Clark said.
She added that seeing this kind of behavior made her sad and disappointed. Clark also referred to tennis star Coco Gauff, who has spoken about her own experiences with racism in sports.
Caitlin Clark Wants Kelsey Mitchell to Stay With the FeverClark’s defense of Mitchell was not limited to condemning online abuse. She also made it clear that she wants to keep playing alongside her teammate.
Mitchell has spent her entire nine-year WNBA career with Indiana and is now an unrestricted free agent. Her future with the Fever remains uncertain, making her recent comments especially important for the team.
Clark praised Mitchell as a teammate and said she hopes they can continue playing together. She also stressed that she values their partnership on the court.
The Fever have faced questions about their fans’ behavior after several players spoke about negative experiences this season. The Guardian reported on October 4 that current and former players had challenged the team’s defense of its fanbase. The discussion grew after players raised concerns about hostile interactions and online abuse.
Clark’s message was direct: supporting her does not mean attacking her teammates. She said she appreciates fans who support the team but does not want her name used to excuse racist or hateful behavior.
Mitchell has not announced her next move in free agency. For now, Clark has made clear that she values their partnership and hopes to continue sharing the backcourt with her.
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