TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 27: Chennedy Carter attends Los Angeles Sparks Media day at Jump Beyond Sports on April 27, 2022 in Torrance, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
Chennedy Carter had a lil’ scare on Wednesday (June 5) night when a man attempted to confront her outside a Washington, D.C. hotel. The Chicago Sky guard was in town with her team ahead of a game against the Mystics on Thursday.
According to ESPN, the man was waiting outside of their team hotel with a camera. Chicago Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca confirmed that the unidentified man attempted to confront the 25-year-old.
However, the team’s security quickly intervened and de-escalated the situation. Due to security’s action, police weren’t called on the man.
It’s unclear what the man wanted with Carter, though several teammates have publicly said that the man used racist and misogynistic language against them.
Meanwhile, Carter has been a trending topic since last weekend after receiving a foul involving Caitlin Clark.
During a game against the Indiana Fever, Chennedy shoulder-checked Caitlin, causing the former Iowa Hawkeye to fall to the floor during the third quarter. Chennedy Carter immediately received a personal foul without review, while Clark got a free throw.
After the game, Chennedy refused to answer any press questions related to her opponent. Eventually, her coach, Teresa Weatherspoon, interrupted the media session, given that reporters were stuck on asking about the court interaction. Coach Weatherspoon said, “All they’re doing is competing.”
Following the Washington D.C. run-in, several Chicago Sky players have shown Chennedy Carter some love and support online.
Forward player Michaela Onyenwere took to X (formerly Twitter) to say that “getting harassed” at their hotel “is where the line needs to be drawn.” “Some fans have NO CHILLLLL,” she added.
Like her team’s GM, Michaela credited their security for doing a “great job of de-escalating the situation” and “protecting” them. However, she clarified that it’s “still weird and crosses the boundaries meeting [them] right when [they] get off the bus.”
An edited video of the incident was circulating online overnight but has since been removed from social media. Michaela also spoke on that.
Another forward player, Brianna Turner, also spoke up on behalf of Carter. She clarified that she wasn’t present when the man tried to run up on her teammates. However, she shunned harassing players at their hotels.
She blamed “absurd headlines” for creating “an unstable environment for [their] safety.” “I’ve been called every racial slur imaginable lately, and my teammates have had it even worse,” Turner added.
“No. I will not accept racism as ‘part of the game.’ No, I’m not sensitive. And no, I won’t simply ignore the ignorant takes I’ve seen. The majority of you commenting could care less about the success of the WNBA and are only concerned with division,” Turner posted. Adding, “It’s troubling to even speak out on bc I know half the responses will be filled with slurs and making excuses for unacceptable behavior. I know we all have different values and outlooks, but the discourse as of late is disingenuous to say the least.”
Angel Reese, who has also faced an intense amount of media attention in the last week, also aired her thoughts on X. She called the man’s actions “NASTY WORK” and said fans are “outta control” and the harassment needs to “STOP.”
Meanwhile, Chennedy Carter has not addressed the incident on her social profiles.
