The women's basketball community has been shaken by the public revelations Caitlin Clark's stalker. Other players in the sport are now speaking out about their concerns and experiences with security and privacy breaches. News of Clark's stalker surfaced just one month after a man pleaded guilty to stalking UConn women's basketball star Paige Bueckers.
Before the rookie's opening week A 3v3 league like no otherSeveral WNBA players involved spoke out about the issue.
Connecticut Sun player Dejonae Carrington, who gave Clark a black eye in the playoff series in September, told The Associated Press that she has received cyber threats and needs to be wary of other threats when she goes out in public.
“It's very unfortunate that this happened, but I think as the game grows, it will continue to happen because some people are crazy and not in their right mind and need to be held accountable for those things.” Carrington said. “But I honestly don't think it will stop. We have to do things and do our best and try to protect ourselves.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
DiJonai Carrington (21) of the Connecticut Sun plays defense during a game against the Indiana Fever during Game 1 of the first round of the 2024 WNBA playoffs on September 22, 2024, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. (Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)
New York Liberty star Brianna Stewart says she and the other players have had to be conscious of how they use social media to make sure they don't reveal their whereabouts in real time.
“We have a lot of security here, and you see them everywhere,” Stewart said. “Making sure that whether we post photos or social media, nothing is happening in real time because then they seem to really be able to know where you are.”
JEMELE HILL quietly deletes CAITLIN CLARK's post after stalker's arrest
Brianna Stewart and her wife, Marta Zargay, were victims during the WNBA Finals in October, receiving anonymous threatening emails after the first game.
Clarke's Fever teammate, Alia Boston, described the conditions she and the other players face as “pretty scary.”
“It's very scary, and I feel bad for Paige and Caitlin and Brenna and everyone's family because this is 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 respond to everything. If we're not sure about anything, they do. They know exactly what to do.” “
Indiana Fever guard Kaitlin Clark against the Dallas Wings in the second half in Indianapolis on September 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Unparalleled co-founder Navisa Collier said the league recently held meetings with players.
“I think it's scary. It's normal, as we become more accessible to people, that things like this can happen,” Collier said. “We had a safety meeting that 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.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Davis suggested to Lewis that he exercise his right to remain silent and entered a not guilty plea on his behalf because she would not accept anything else at the preliminary hearing.
Lewis was ordered held on $50,000 bail and stay away from Gainbridge Fieldhouse and Hinkle Fieldhouse, where the Fever and Butler Bulldogs play, respectively. Clark's friend, Connor McCaffrey, is an assistant on the Butler men's basketball team.
Lewis, 55, was charged with stalking and threatening to commit sexual assault or murder. Fox 59 Citing court documents. The charge is a felony, and he could face up to six years in prison if convicted.
All Iowa Attack's Kaitlin Clark dribbles during an AAU game at All Iowa Attack Basketball Fieldhouse on April 22, 2017, in Ames, Iowa. (Luke Law/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
Lewis claims He sent Clark sexually explicit messages Through his account, X. One message said he drove around her house several times and encouraged her “not to call the law yet.” He also allegedly talked about going to a Fever game and sitting behind the bench.
Authorities said they spoke to 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 a lot of them don't,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said on FOX 59. “Who deserve to live and work in Indy without the threat of sexual violence.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on X And subscribe to Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
