
Getty Image
Five-time WNBA All-Star Alyssa Thomas did not hold back when discussing the abuse she faced from Indiana Fever fans.
Thomas, who led the Connecticut Sun to a first-round playoff victory over Caitlin Clark and the Fever, singled out Indiana fans for their ‘racial comments’ throughout the series and the entire WNBA season.
Alyssa Thomas called out the hate that Sun players have faced from the Fever fanbase, saying she’s never experienced these type of racial comments before:
“It’s uncalled for, and something needs to be done, whether it’s them checking their fans, or the league.” pic.twitter.com/qpqhkThW1p
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) September 26, 2024
“Honestly, it’s been a lot of nonsense,” Thomas said. “I think in my 11-year career, I’ve never experienced [anything like] the racial comments from the Indiana Fever fan base. It’s unacceptable, honestly, and there’s no place for it. We’ve been professional throughout the entire thing, but I’ve never been called the things I’ve been called on social media, and there’s no place for it.
“Basketball is headed in a great direction. But we don’t want fans that are going to degrade us and call us racial things. We already see what happens in the world and what we have to deal with in that aspect. We come to play basketball for our job, and it’s fun, but we don’t want to go to work every day and have social media blow up over things like that. t’s uncalled for and something needs to be done, whether it’s them checking their fans, or this league checking [it], there’s no time for it anymore.”
Alyssa Thomas Has Been Outspoken Throughout Indiana Fever Playoff Series
Thomas’ comments come just days after she called out Connecticut Sun ownership for its mistreatment of players. Connecticut players were made to split their practice court with a birthday party for a young child the day before their series with the Fever began.
As for her specific comments about racial abuse, it has unfortunately been a lowlight of an otherwise fantastic WNBA season. “Fans” of Clark and fellow rookie Angel Reese have used basketball to co-opt larger discussions about race, and it’s routinely turned nasty.
The WNBA has only recently begun to address the issue. But it may largely be out of the league’s control.