WNBA 'assault' on Caitlin Clark causes raging debate as 'white privilege' explanation ridiculed
Chennedy Carter shoved Caitlin Clark to the ground
ESPN
Riley Gaines has lashed out at 'The View' co-host Sunny Hostin's suggestion that Caitlin Clark benefits from 'white privilege' after the WNBA rookie was violently shoved to the floor by Chennedy Carter on Saturday night.
Clark broke numerous records during her incredible college carer and her popularity has reached new heights since entering the WNBA.
The 22-year-old has been credited with the the rise in viewership for the WNBA this season.
But Clark's rise to superstardom hasn't gone down well with some of her peers in the league with Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese appearing to take a shot at the Indiana Fever star recently.
Hostin caused a stir last month when she claimed Clark was only popular because of her 'white privilege'.
Chennedy Carter shoved Caitlin Clark to the ground
ESPN
"I do think that there is a thing called pretty privilege... is a thing called white privilege... is a thing called tall privilege," Hostin said at the time.
"We have to acknowledge that and part of it is about race.
"If you think about the Brittney Griners of the world, why did she have to go to play in Russia? Because they wouldn't pay her.
"Caitlin Clark is bringing this money, these sponsorships, into the league and other players will benefit from it.
"But I do think she's more relatable to more people because she's white, because she's attractive."
Gaines ridiculed Hostin for her take at the time and took another shot at The View co-host after Clark's incident with Carter at the weekend.
Carter had just scored with a mid-range jumper to reduce Indiana's lead to four points at the end of the third.
But the Chicago Sky star stepped forward and charged her shoulder aggressively into the back of an unsuspecting Clark, sending her flying to the floor.
The clip of the incident soon went viral on social media with many upset at the 'assault' of Clark.
Gaines reposted the video on her social media account, adding: "Her 1) white privilege 2) straight privilege 3) pretty privilege and/or 4) tall privilege didn't help her here, huh @sunny?"
The officials called it an 'away-from-the-ball' foul during the game and refused to review it at the time.
Riley Gaines took aim at Sunny Hostin for her recent comments
GETTY
“I wasn’t expecting it,” Clark said after the game.
“It is what it is. It’s a physical game. Go make the free throw and execute on offense, and I feel like that’s kind of what we did.”
The WNBA have since upgraded Carter's foul on Clark to a flagrant-one violation after reviewing the footage.
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Chennedy Carter scores and gives a shoulder to Caitlin Clarkpic.twitter.com/nQxkw1rvhH
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Carter refused to answer any questions about Clark after the match, but later slammed the Iowa-born basketball star on social media.
"Kudos to all of this women they have really made WNBA interesting," she wrote on Threads.
"[And] that’s that on that cause beside three point shooting what does [Clark] bring to the table man."
Clark remains the strong favourite to be named WNBA Rookie of the Year having averaged 16.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.3 steals a game.
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