Caitlin Clark calls out media’s ‘false characterization’ of her amid weeks of controversy
Caitlin Clark has spoken out about media reports about her following weeks of national debate, claiming media outlets have made “inaccurate” descriptions of who she is.
“I think sometimes there’s a mischaracterization of who I am,” he said in an interview with ESPN on Friday.
The debate reached a boiling point in recent days after USA Today published an opinion piece in which the writer referenced the killing of Emmett Till while criticizing the Indiana Fever guard for falling to the ground when hit by opposing players and arguing with referees over foul calls.
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Caitlin Clark, player #22 of the Indiana Fever, warms up before their game against the Portland Fire at the Moda Center on May 30, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. (Getty Images)
“As a reporter or a blogger, I understand that you can write an opinion piece and that’s your job and stuff. But at the same time, it’s like you don’t know me. It’s like we’ve never talked. I understand people have a job to do. But at the same time, don’t make accusations about my character and who I am when you don’t know me,” Clark said.
“I understand that this is your job and this is your job and this is what you’re supposed to do. And basketball is my job, this is what I’m supposed to do. The reason I play basketball is because I love it when I get between the lines. And that’s the fun part of it for me, I get to compete. This has always been my dream. And no one should try to take that away from me.”
Clark said he believes some of the news is “not factually based.”
“I think a lot of this is not always factual. I think the media and journalism have a responsibility to tell the stories, and a lot of times it’s you who control the narratives of what people read and what people talk about, and a lot of that is sometimes very far from reality.”
The maelstrom of national controversy began when Clark was punched in the throat by Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas during a game in June. The referees did not call a foul at that moment, but later gave Thomas a one-match suspension after the match ended.
The incident and footage of it sparked weeks of emotional discourse by fans and pundits across the media landscape, often fueling racist debates.
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Clark thought about the punch to the throat and its ugly consequences.
“There seems to be a moment like this in every season I’ve played so far…it gets tiring, it gets frustrating…yes it was a hard foul, it should have been dealt with at that time and what happened should have been decided and reviewed at the time, great, we move on. We see it happen in the NBA all the time. It’s nothing more than that, basketball,” Clark said.
“It’s emotionally draining, it’s draining, it puts tension on your shoulders, because, you know, people don’t want to talk about basketball, they want to confuse it and turn it into something else.”
Clark reminded the media and fans on the first day of All-Star weekend on Friday to be mindful of his feelings and emotional health.
“People forget that I have feelings too… I feel things, I have emotions, I get emotional, I get frustrated, I get upset and upset,” Clark said in an interview with Sirius XM on Friday. “Social media isn’t always real and that really escapes people… you read all this and you say ‘this must be true, this must be what people really think about me’.”
“There will always be people who disagree with the way you play and how you carry yourself, and that’s okay. It might mean you’re doing something right, too… There are definitely tough days.”
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Clark also brought up the negative effects of her emotional health when talking about her interaction with former President Barack Obama on opening day of the weekend.
“He complimented me on the way I handled everything. Obviously with everything going on and he’s definitely someone who’s been in front of the media quite a bit. And he reminded me, ‘I got famous in my 40s, I didn’t have to do it in my 20s,'” Clark said.
“And you know, sometimes people don’t always realize that I’m 23 or 24 and I’m trying to do a lot of different things while also trying to play basketball. So it was nice to hear that from him. And obviously it’s a good reminder for all of us that we have to treat people with respect and kindness.”
