Kennedy Carter finally explains why she body-checked Caitlin Clark. But instead of clarity, her words only deepen the controversy—and reveal why not a single WNBA team will touch her.
In what should have been a breakout year for Kennedy Carter, the former WNBA rising star now finds herself completely shut out of the league. Her offense? A shoulder check on Caitlin Clark that rocked the sports world—and a stunning refusal to take responsibility.
The WNBA is entering a golden era of visibility, largely thanks to Caitlin Clark, whose arrival has tripled viewership and shattered attendance records. But with that spotlight comes scrutiny—and for Kennedy Carter, it came fast and hard.
The infamous moment unfolded last June in a regular season game between the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever. Clark had just scored. As the cameras followed the play downcourt, Carter veered across the hardwood, made eye contact with Clark, and delivered a deliberate shoulder to the rookie’s side. Clark stumbled. The crowd gasped. Commentators went silent.
At first, officials called it a common foul. But upon review, they upgraded it to a flagrant—a rare move that underscored how out of bounds Carter’s action truly was.
In the days that followed, Carter refused to address the incident. When pressed, she said, “I have nothing to say about Caitlin Clark.” That silence fueled outrage. While Clark handled the incident with grace, brushing herself off and returning to play, Carter’s cold response left fans and analysts stunned.
Now, months later, just days before the 2025 season begins, Carter is speaking. But not with an apology. Instead, in a rambling livestream interview, she justified the hit as “just part of basketball” and even hinted that Clark had provoked her. “I think maybe she elbowed me,” Carter claimed, before admitting she didn’t really remember.
Her attempt at damage control backfired.
“It was a light tap,” she said. “Just letting her know I’m here.” But the video told a different story. Fans watched the footage over and over. There was no provocation. No elbow. Just a clear, targeted hit.
It wasn’t just the incident. Carter’s career has long been plagued by off-court drama. In 2021, she was suspended indefinitely by the Atlanta Dream for “conduct detrimental to the team.” A year later, the team traded her. She landed in L.A., then Chicago. No team kept her long.
This time, there are no offers. No contracts. And not a single team has expressed interest. Even the Chicago Sky, where she played last year, declined to extend a qualifying offer—an unusual move for a player with her scoring potential.
Now Carter’s explaining. But her words aren’t helping. “I love the hate,” she said in the interview. “It fuels me.” That defiance might play well in a rap battle. Not in a league trying to clean up its image.
Caitlin Clark, by contrast, has become the face of the WNBA. Her rookie season redefined the sport, and her impact has extended beyond the court to merchandising, media coverage, and league investment. The WNBA is betting big on Clark.
And they won’t tolerate threats to that investment.
Carter insists her comments are being “twisted.” But the timing is hard to ignore. Training camp begins in days. She’s unsigned. She’s trending for all the wrong reasons.
Her story is no longer about one mistake. It’s about a pattern. And it’s why Carter, once seen as a future All-Star, is now a cautionary tale.
In a league pushing toward a brighter future, there may be no place for a player who refuses to look back.
Do you think Kennedy Carter deserves a second chance? Or is this WNBA exile justified? Let us know below.
