Don’t Erase the Black Players Who Built the WNBA

The WNBA couldn’t and wouldn’t have survived for 30 years if it wasn’t for Black players, and third-year Indiana guard Caitlin Clark isn’t the league’s savior. Like the old axiom, these two points can be true.

The first truth is indisputable: ever since the ceremonial jump ball before Game No. 1 between Los Angeles and New York in 1997, the likes of Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, Cynthia Cooper, Tina Thompson, Tamika Catchings, Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus, Candace Parker and many, many other Sistahs over the course of three decades have carried the W. But this truth too often has been overlooked or undervalued, especially since the arrival of Clark two summers ago.

Coppin State Sport Management Associate Professor F. Michelle Richardson has followed America’s longest-running women’s pro league since day one.

“I was at the first WNBA game, I was a Nike intern in 1997 with the Los Angeles Sparks,” she proudly said in an MSR phone interview last week. Later, “I was the first Nike intern for the Washington Mystics in their first season (1998).” Dr. Richardson is both a longtime fan and studies race and sport. She co-authored book chapters on Black women’s sports experiences at HBCUs, Black female hockey fans and their experiences, and Black females’ experiences beyond sport.

Expectedly, the latest controversy involving Clark and Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas hasn’t escaped Richardson either.

“I don’t think people hate Caitlin Clark,” continued the professor. “We have the bad actors who are trying to use her for an agenda.”

The oft-popular notion, or falsehood, that Clark is some Superwoman who swooped in to save the W, and Black females somehow are her Kryptonite. Too many believe that: 1) Black players are jealous of the White player, and 2) Clark is a de facto victim. None of which is true.

Even GOP lawmakers in Washington have gotten into this: ESPN last week reported a group of Republican U.S. Congress members wrote and sent a letter to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, demanding that the league must protect the Fever star. So instead of passing bills on protecting voting rights or strengthening gun control, they are more concerned with whether or not Clark is fouled during games.

It’s the WNBA, not the ACC (always Caitlin Clark).

The pro game is physical, and up to this point Clark hasn’t yet adjusted to it, Richardson pointed out.

“I was watching that game (on June 24 between Indiana and Phoenix),” she said of the contest in which Phoenix’s Thomas got tangled up with Clark. League officials reviewed the play, calling a flagrant foul and suspending Thomas for one game. “Alyssa Thomas is a very physical player. I won’t say (Thomas) did it purposely, but I have seen (Clark) flinging her body, trying to sell a foul. She’s arguing with her coaches … and you’re trying to tell the refs how to do their job when you haven’t improved at your game.”

Richardson agrees that the WNBA took too long to effectively call out the so-called Clark fans who have shown their racist colors in spewing their hate on social media against Black W players. Thomas and her family have received death threats after the incident. Other Black players have said it is often uncomfortable to play at Indiana due to some fans’ racist behavior toward them.

“Cathy Engelbert has done a terrible job at taking care of this,” said Richardson.

Back to the first truth: this year’s All-Star Game in Chicago later this month will feature six Black starters, including Minnesota’s Olivia Miles and Natasha Howard, and eight Blacks among the reserves, including Lynx guard Courtney Williams. WNBA Legends Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon are serving as honorary general managers and will draft the two All-Star rosters.

“I love Olivia Miles,” declared Richardson of the All-Star rookie starter. However, she and other players’ performances thus far this season “once again (is) being overshadowed by this Caitlin Clark fallacy that she’s the best on the planet, she’s not,” reiterated the Coppin State professor. “And Caitlin is not the savior. They got to stop this narrative.”

Wolves wrap up Summer League play in Vegas

The Minnesota Timberwolves at press time have completed their scheduled four NBA Summer League games in Las Vegas (July 9, 11, 13, 15). If the Wolves don’t advance to the four-team playoffs, they will play a fifth game on either July 17, 18 or 19.

Devin McGlockton Credit: Charles Hallman/MSR

“I just want to prove myself,” 6-foot-7 forward Devin McGlockton told MSR after a practice before the team left for Vegas. He is one of nine rookies on the Wolves’ summer squad. “My greatest strength is just my effort. I give 100% to my rebounding. I’m relentless on the glass.”

Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses at challman@spokesman-recorder.com.