The public revelation of Caitlin Clark's stalker has rocked the women's basketball world. Other athletes in the sport are now speaking out about their own fears and experiences with security and privacy breaches. News of Clark's stalker comes just a month after a man pleaded guilty to stalking UConn women's basketball star Paige Bueckers.
Ahead of the opening week of the emerging 3-on-3 league Unrivaled, many of the WNBA players participating in the game spoke about this issue.
Connecticut Sun player DiJonai Carrington, who injured Clark during a playoff series in September, told The Associated Press that she has received online threats and needs to be alert to other threats when she goes out in public.
Carrington said: "It's so unfortunate that this is happening, but I think it's going to continue to happen as the game grows because some people are just crazy and not in their right mind and need to be informed about these things. Responsible." . "But honestly, I don't think this is going to stop. We have to take action, go above and beyond and try to protect ourselves."
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Connecticut Sun's DiJonai Carrington (21) during Game 1 of the first round of the 2024 WNBA playoffs at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 22, 2024 in Uncasville, Connecticut On defense against the Indiana Fever. (Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)
New York Liberty star Brianna Stewart said she and other players must be careful about how they use social media to ensure they don't leak their whereabouts in real time.
"We have a huge security presence here and you see them everywhere," Stewart said. "Making sure that whether we post photos or social media, nothing is live because then they can really figure out where you are. "
Jermell Hill quietly deletes Caitlin Clark's posts after stalker arrested
Breanna Stewart and her wife, Marta Xargay, were victims of the WNBA Finals in October when they received anonymous threatening emails after the first game.
Clark's avid teammate Aliyah Boston called the conditions she and other players faced "super scary."
"It's horrible and I feel so bad for Paige, Caitlin, (Breanna) and everybody's family because it's not something you want to go through," she said. "But I think everyone around us did a great job trying to make sure we felt safe and making sure they were responsive to everything. If we weren't sure about anything, they just did it. They knew exactly what to do. ”
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark during the second half against the Dallas Wings on September 15, 2024 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Unmatched co-founder Napheesa Collier said the league recently held meetings with players.
"I think it's scary. Naturally, as we make it easier to serve people, things like this are going to happen," Collier said. "We did have a safety meeting the other day."
Earlier this week, Michael Lewis, the Texas man identified as Clark's stalker, entered Marion County Superior Court, leaned back in his chair and told Judge Angela Davis, He was "guilty as charged."
Click here to get the Fox News app
Davis suggested to Lewis that he exercise his right to remain silent and enter a plea of not guilty on his behalf because she would not accept anything else at the initial hearing.
Lewis was ordered held on $50,000 bail and stayed away from Gainbridge Arena and Hinkle Arena, where the Fever and Butler Bulldogs play, respectively. Clark's boyfriend, Connor McCaffrey, is an assistant on the Butler men's basketball team.
Lewis, 55, is accused of stalking and threatening battery or death. Fox 59 The report cited court documents. The charge is a felony and he could face up to six years in prison if convicted.
All-Iowa offensive team member Caitlin Clark carries the ball during an AAU game on April 22, 2017, in Ames, Iowa. (Luclu/Diamond Photo via Getty Images)
Lewis allegedly sent Clark sexually explicit messages through his X account. One message said he drove around her home multiple times and encouraged her to "not call the police just yet." He also allegedly talked about going to a Fever game and sitting behind the bench.
Authorities said they discussed the information with Lewis on Jan. 8, the news station reported. He reportedly told authorities he was going to Indianapolis for vacation and downplayed the number of messages he sent to the WNBA sharpshooters.
"It takes a lot of courage for women to come forward in these cases, and that's why so many don't come forward," Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said via Fox 59 "Victims do , setting an example for all women to live and work in Indy without the threat of sexual violence. "
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on X and subscribe Fox News Sports Gathering Newsletter.