Caitlin Clark stalker incident sparks privacy and security concerns among WNBA players

The revelation of Caitlin Clark's stalker has shaken the women's basketball community, prompting other players to speak out about their own security and privacy concerns. This news comes just a month after a man was convicted of stalking UConn women's basketball star Paige Bueckers.

During the lead-up to the launch of the new 3-on-3 league, Unrivaled, several WNBA players discussed the matter.

DiJonai Carrington, a Connecticut Sun player who inflicted a black eye on Clark during their playoff series in September, has received cyberthreats and must remain cautious when venturing out in public.

"Unfortunately, Carrington believes that the game's growth will lead to more incidents because some people are irrational and not mentally sound, and they need to be held accountable. However, Carrington thinks it won't stop, and they must take extra precautions to safeguard themselves."

Breanna Stewart, a star player for the New York Liberty, advises that athletes must be mindful of their social media usage to avoid revealing their real-time locations.

"We have a lot of security around, and they're visible everywhere," Stewart stated. "Ensuring that our social media posts and photos are not in real-time helps prevent others from determining our location."

During the WNBA Finals in October, Breanna Stewart and her spouse, Marta Xargay, were targeted by anonymous threatening emails following Game 1.

Aliyah Boston, a teammate of Clark's, described the conditions they and other players experience as "extremely terrifying."

"I feel terrible for Paige, Caitlin, and their families because experiencing that is not something anyone wants. However, I believe everyone around us does an excellent job of ensuring our safety and responding promptly to any concerns we may have. If we're uncertain about anything, they're on it, and they know exactly what to do."

Unrivaled co-founder Napheesa Collier said the league has had meetings with players recently.

"Naturally, as we become more accessible, such events occur," Collier stated. "We held a safety meeting recently."

Earlier this week, Michael Lewis, the Texas man accused of stalking Clark, appeared in Marion County Superior Court and confessed to his crime, leaning back in his chair and telling Judge Angela Davis that he was "guilty as charged."

Lewis was advised by Davis to exercise his right to remain silent and enter a not guilty plea because she wouldn't accept anything else in the initial hearing.

Lewis was placed on $50,000 bail and instructed to avoid the Gainbridge Fieldhouse and Hinkle Fieldhouse, where the Fever and Butler Bulldogs play, respectively. Connor McCaffery, Clark's boyfriend, works as an assistant with Butler's men's basketball team.

According to court documents, a 55-year-old man was charged with stalking and threatening sexual battery or death, as reported by FOX 59. This charge is a felony, and if convicted, he could face up to six years in prison.

It is claimed that Lewis used his X account to send Clark sexually explicit messages, including one that said he had been circling her house and urged her not to contact the authorities. Additionally, he is said to have discussed attending a Fever game and sitting behind the bench.

According to the news station, authorities spoke with Lewis on January 8th about the messages he sent to the WNBA sharpshooter. Lewis allegedly told authorities that he was going on a vacation to Indianapolis and minimized the number of messages he sent.

"Women who come forward in cases of sexual violence demonstrate a lot of courage, which is why many don't," Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said, via FOX 59. "The victim is setting an example for all women who deserve to live and work in Indy without the threat of sexual violence."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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