“Are You That Good?”: ESPN Writer Ponders if Caitlin Clark Has Proven Herself as a New WNBA Star Amid Discrimination Allegations

On Tuesday’s episode of his “The Right Time” podcast, sports writer Bomani Jones was joined by ESPN’s Howard Bryant in a discussion of the discrimination allegations involving Caitlin Clark.

At one point, Jones challenged the notion that Clark was being discriminated against by the “mean Black girls” of the WNBA. Bryant agreed that this idea is questionable, before boldly questioning whether Clark has adapted to the level of play in the league.

“Whenever you’re new, you’ve got to prove you can play. She’s shooting 32% from three. She’s shooting 40%, 42% from the field. Are you that good? Are you maybe a college phenomenon?” [Timestamp – 39:52]

Bryant added that, in light of the recent moves made by a group of House Republicans, it will be “incumbent” upon Clark to decide how she wants to play, as no less than members of Congress are now “using her as a pawn.”

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The discourse surrounding the physicality endured by Clark went to a different level last week when 11 House Republicans sent a letter to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. In the letter, these members of Congress expressed concern that many of the “repeated attacks of unnecessary physical hostility and violence” against Clark might be “racially motivated.”

“We Will Continue to Stick Up for Our Team”: Fever Releases Statement on Letter Sent by Members of Congress

In the meantime, the Fever organization has released a statement on the House Republicans’ letter to the WNBA Commissioner.

The statement made it clear that the Fever stands with Caitlin Clark amidst the issues of “player safety” in the league.

“We have been clear in our public comments and in our ongoing dialogue with the League about the priority of player safety. Our players and our fans know where we stand on those issues and we will continue to stick up for our team and a standard of excellence across the league.”