Caitlin Clark and Temi Fagbenle are no longer teammates, thanks to the WNBA expansion draft that sent Fagbenle to the Golden State Valkyries. But who says you need the same locker room to have each other’s backs? When a storm brewed over Clark’s TIME Magazine Athlete of the Year comments about “white privilege,” Fagbenle logged into X (formerly known as Twitter) with more fire than a Steph Curry fourth quarter.
Her post was sharp, to the point, and—let’s be honest—a mic drop moment:
“Let me make this clear. CC can speak about having white privilege without hating herself. CC can acknowledge THE REALITY of race disparities without pandering to any group. CC can celebrate the GIANTS who have come before her, without diminishing her own HISTORIC accomplishments.”
Whoa. Did someone just alley-oop the “respectful discourse about race” ball?
Caitlin Clark’s Comments: A Necessary Assist or an Airball?
The uproar began with Clark’s TIME Magazine feature, where she reflected on her privilege as a white player in a league historically built by Black athletes. Here’s the quote that got social media spinning like a Harlem Globetrotter:
“I want to say I’ve earned every single thing, but as a white person, there is privilege. A lot of those players in the league that have been really good have been Black players. This league has kind of been built on them.”
Oh, but she didn’t stop there. Clark, the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year, added her vision for the future:
“The more we can appreciate that, highlight that, talk about that, and then continue to have brands and companies invest in those players that have made this league incredible, I think it’s very important. I have to continue to try to change that. The more we can elevate Black women, that’s going to be a beautiful thing.”
It’s the kind of comment you’d expect to spark meaningful dialogue—unless you’re part of the internet’s outrage machine. Critics slammed Clark for “pandering,” while others claimed her words were about as authentic as a knockoff jersey.
Temi Fagbenle’s Full-Court Defense
Not one to shy away from a good debate, Fagbenle responded with gusto, calling the conversation a golden opportunity for dialogue about race. After dropping her initial Tweet, she returned to expand her point:
“This is a great opportunity 4 some respectful conversations about race in the US. Ain’t no quick fix.”
Translation? Fagbenle’s telling everyone to put their Twitter fingers down and pick up a chair for some honest conversations. Easier said than done, right?
Stephen A. Smith and Others Join the Huddle
If you thought Fagbenle was the only one defending Clark, think again. ESPN’s loudest voice, Stephen A. Smith, threw in his two cents with his signature flair:
“Caitlin Clark hasn’t spoken against anybody. If anything, she’s trying to provide assistance; she’s trying to be the rising tide that lifts the boats.”
Translation? Stephen A. is essentially saying, “Relax, people! She’s not snatching anyone’s trophies.”
Other sports icons like Elle Duncan, Chris Evert, and Dave Portnoy also rallied behind Clark, calling her comments brave and a step toward acknowledging the complexities of race in sports.
Why This Matters (Beyond Twitter Drama)
Clark’s words—and the subsequent backlash—highlight the ever-present tension in conversations about privilege, race, and sports. Love her or hate her, Clark isn’t just putting up triple-doubles on the court; she’s bringing some much-needed attention to the WNBA’s trailblazing Black athletes.
Meanwhile, Fagbenle’s clapback feels like a no-look pass to the haters. Whether or not this leads to productive dialogue, one thing’s for sure: these conversations aren’t going away anytime soon.
Final Take: More Than Just a Game
As the dust settles, one question remains: Will this moment spark change or get lost in the social media void? Clark’s a star in every sense of the word—whether she’s hitting a three-pointer or addressing systemic disparities—and Fagbenle isn’t afraid to back her up with words as bold as her on-court moves.
So, let’s give credit where it’s due. Caitlin Clark isn’t running from the conversation; she’s sprinting toward it. And as for Fagbenle? She just proved you don’t need to share a jersey to share a vision.
Now, can we stop dunking on each other in comment sections and start dunking in real life? Just a thought.
