ESPN anchor Elle Duncan isn’t holding back, folks. She’s got her metaphorical megaphone out and is taking aim at the appalling racism and misogyny swirling around the WNBA this season—particularly during Caitlin Clark’s rookie campaign. Instead of celebrating what should be a landmark year for women’s sports, some people are dragging the narrative straight into the muck. And to that, Duncan’s got a simple response: “Oh my god, just educate yourself.”
The veteran sports journalist shared her no-nonsense take on Bomani Jones’ podcast, “The Right Time,” where she highlighted the sheer absurdity of the situation. With her trademark blend of eloquence and exasperation, Duncan compared the influx of negativity to a poorly planned backyard party.
“This is like finally setting up a BBQ in the backyard, just big enough to entertain more people, and then some new folks show up to the party armed with pitchforks,” Duncan said, not missing a beat. “‘Ooh, nevermind, this was a bad idea. I should have curated this guest list better.’”
Somebody get Duncan a drink because she’s had it with the nonsense! Instead of the spotlight being on basketball, where it belongs, the chatter has been hijacked by those peddling racist and misogynistic rhetoric. It’s as if they forgot Caitlin Clark’s historic rookie season stats (which, by the way, would put most seasoned vets to shame) and decided instead to focus on tearing down the very players elevating the league.
“Hot Takes” or Hot Mess?
Duncan also lobbed a verbal 3-pointer at the media’s obsession with stirring up drama instead of talking hoops. She pointed out how the conversation often veers away from the sport itself and instead pits Black athletes against Clark. It’s become the “hot take” du jour—except there’s nothing hot about it. Just a mess.
“It’s like, damned if you do, damned if you don’t,” Duncan quipped, probably shaking her head. “Instead of sticking to basketball, these hot takes are explicitly surrounding Black women vs. Caitlin Clark. That’s what’s frustrating.” So instead of genuine analysis and appreciation of basketball skills, we’ve got “who’s feuding with whom” headlining the discourse. Cue the eye roll.
And Duncan’s final word on the matter? “Oh my god, please, just educate yourself. Go read a book, take a class, do something other than sending racist and misogynistic garbage into these women’s timelines. It’s unfair.”
Caitlin Clark’s Historic Rookie Season: No Trolls Allowed
Despite the swirl of negativity, Caitlin Clark didn’t let the haters drag her down. She stuck to the script and delivered one of the most impressive rookie seasons in WNBA history, making fans (and probably some trolls) pick their jaws up off the floor. Averaging 19.2 points, 8.2 assists (the highest in the league), and 5.7 rebounds, Clark smashed WNBA rookie records left and right like she was in some sort of high-scoring demolition derby.
She didn’t just rack up stats; she rewrote the record books: Most points for a rookie? Check. Most assists in a season? Check. Rookie record for three-pointers? Triple-check. She made history while trolls made noise. And for dessert? Clark led the Indiana Fever to their first postseason appearance in eight long, drought-filled years. Talk about silencing the critics with a performance that could make even her doubters cheer—if only they knew how to appreciate greatness when they see it.
Caitlin Clark Claps Back: “You’re Not Fans, You’re Trolls.”
But Caitlin’s not just about putting up numbers; she’s got something to say too. During a season-end press conference, she dropped the mic on the trolls who’ve been spewing hate at her and her teammates. “It’s upsetting,” the 22-year-old Rookie of the Year said, taking a moment to address the elephant in the room—or more like the troll under the bridge.
“Nobody in our league should be facing any sort of racism, hurtful, disrespectful, hateful comments, and threats,” Clark stated with a level-headedness that belies her age. “Those aren’t fans, those are trolls, and it’s a real disservice to the people in our league, the organization, the WNBA.”
Somebody get this woman a cape because she’s speaking truth to power like a seasoned superhero. And she didn’t stop there. Clark made it clear that there are still true fans in the WNBA—people who love the game, support the players, and cheer for the right reasons. She urged everyone to shine a light on the positives and keep the conversation focused on what matters: the sport and the athletes elevating it.
The Season That Was: Clark’s Records and the Fever’s Revival
In case you’ve been living under a rock (or too busy trolling online), let’s recap: Clark’s rookie season wasn’t just good—it was one for the ages. She led all rookies in scoring and assists, and she practically walked into the WNBA history books, setting records as if they were free samples at Costco. The Indiana Fever, a team that had been languishing for nearly a decade, found new life with Clark leading the charge.
So while the trolls were busy trolling, Caitlin Clark was busy balling. And Elle Duncan? She was busy dropping truth bombs left and right. As the WNBA navigates this wave of new fans and critics, let’s hope more people like Duncan and Clark step up and set the record straight.
Because at the end of the day, the only thing hotter than the “takes” should be the basketball being played. Mic drop.