In a spicy turn of events in the world of women’s basketball, WNBA journalist Roberta Rodrigues decided she’d had enough of the doubters questioning her journalistic chops. The drama unfolded after Rodrigues dropped the scoop on Damiris Dantas being protected by the Indiana Fever during the expansion draft, while Jordan Horston enjoyed similar treatment from the Seattle Storm.
Instead of earning her flowers for breaking news, Rodrigues got a deluge of backlash online. Critics sniffed around her credibility, apparently unable to reconcile the idea that someone not from here could have elite sources in the WNBA world. But Rodrigues wasn’t having any of it.
“I’ve been in the women’s basketball scene since 2008, my sources stretch across continents, and frankly, y’all can sit down,” she effectively tweeted. “Calling it out for what it is—xenophobia. No need to badmouth me just because my access ruffles your feathers.”
Well, that’s one way to shut down the noise!
The Caitlin Clark Connection
This isn’t Rodrigues’ first brush with controversy involving basketball’s brightest star, Caitlin Clark. Back in September, Rodrigues called out Clark for what she described as excessive on-court complaining. She claimed that Clark’s teammates spent more time “babysitting” her than focusing on the game, a comment that sent Clark stans into a tizzy. Love her or hate her, Clark knows how to keep her name trending—even if it’s courtesy of a spicy journalist.
Farewell to a Fever Favorite
Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever took a big hit this week as they bid farewell to Temi Fagbenle. The forward was snatched up by the Golden State Valkyries during the expansion draft, ending her impressive stint with the Fever.
Fagbenle, never one to exit quietly, dropped a heartfelt Instagram post thanking teammates, fans, and, well, everyone who stuck around during a season that had more twists than a telenovela.
“To my teammates: we had a season of revelations and growth. So proud of y’all for persevering. F the noise. Keep growing together,” Fagbenle wrote, accompanied by a highlight reel of her best Fever moments.
Naturally, Caitlin Clark slid into the comments section with a sweet note: “Love ya, Tem! Gonna miss you ❤️.” Because what’s a WNBA farewell without a tearjerker moment?
Looking Ahead
As the league braces for the 2025 WNBA Draft, all eyes are on how the Fever will fill the void left by Fagbenle. Meanwhile, Rodrigues seems to be thriving in her role as the journalist critics love to hate. Love her or loathe her, she’s not going anywhere, and if her track record is any indication, she’ll have another bombshell to drop soon enough.
Stay tuned, folks—this league isn’t just about hoops; it’s about headlines, heartbreak, and the perfect blend of chaos.
