There are moments when a community should recognize one of its own—and moments when recognition is not enough.
Caitlin Clark, who donned the cover of PRIMO in the previous edition, is one of the most extraordinary athletes of her generation. She is also an Italian American, descended through her mother’s family from immigrants who carried their heritage from Sicily to the American Midwest.
Italian Americans have every reason to celebrate Caitlin’s remarkable ascent. Yet celebration carries with it an important obligation. When one of our own is subjected to treatment that appears excessive, dangerous, or deliberately intimidating, we must stand up for her.
In too many games, Caitlin Clark has been subjected to a number of assaults. Such incursions are rarely, if ever, counted as fouls. In her rookie season, five of the WNBA’s 30 flagrant fouls were committed against Clark—a staggering 17 percent!
In June, 2024 when Clark’s team—Indiana Fever—played the Chicago Sky, opposing player Chennedy Carter came up from behind Clark to shoulder-check her to the floor before the ball was even inbounded. Officials called the incursion an ordinary away-from-the-ball foul. In the playoffs that year, DiJonai Carrington, of the Connecticut Sun, struck Clark in the eye to bruise her during a defensive play. Many on social media accused Carrington of an intentional hit.
A year later, it was against the same team—Connecticut Sun, when an opposing player, Jay Sheldon, caught Clark in the face. Shaken by the assault, Clark got back on her feet. Clark pushed Sheldon away, only for Marina Mabrey, a teammate of Sheldon’s, forcefully and viciously knocked Clark to the floor. This year, on June 24, Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas made contact with her fist to Clark’s throat area while Clark was on the floor. No foul was called.
How many times does this have to happen before Italian American organizations say something?
Where are the voices that so readily celebrate Italian American achievement when the photographs are flattering and the occasion festive? Why do Italian American leaders go silent when one of our own, who excels at a sport, suffers such egregious abuse? Caitlin Clark demonstrated repeatedly she can take a hit, get back on her feet, and continue playing. She is the model of professionalism in sports.
Clark’s behavior on and off the court remains exceptional. Her sportsmanlike conduct is a source of pride for all Italian Americans. She has become a role model—and rightly so—for girls and young female adults.
This is precisely why the rest of us should pay attention to what happens to Caitlin. Courage on the part of the athlete does not relieve leagues, officials, players—and communities—from recognizing a disturbing pattern—when physical play threatens to become something else.
Basketball is a contact sport. The WNBA is populated by exceptionally strong, competitive professional athletes. Clark should neither expect nor receive special treatment because of her fame. Yet, neither should her fame make excessive contact against her acceptable.
This is not a plea to protect Caitlin Clark from any and all types of competition. Rather, it is a plea to protect competition itself. What Italian American leaders must do is speak up. We must ensure our people are treated fairly in sports and, for that matter, all other endeavors. We don’t yearn for special treatment. We yearn for equity. We demand respect.
Italian Americans know something about watching one of our own enter an established arena to immediately become a target of extraordinary attention. We have seen it in entertainment, politics, business, and sports.
Such success is often accompanied by envy, resentment, and, even, violence. This is when our community must stand up and say: Enough.
Clark should be defended —yes—for the sole reason that she is Italian American. If we don’t defend her, who will? If we don’t defend Italian Americans who suffer injustice, who will? We must recognize achievement, courage, and fair play when we see them. We proudly claim our champions. We should also be willing to stand by them.
Editor's Note: The commissioner of the WNBA is Cathy Engelbert. The WNBA is located at:
WNBA Enterprises, LLC, 645 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10022
+1 (212) 407-8000 www.wnba.com www.wnba.com
READ HERE THE NEW EDITION - SECOND 2026 PRIMO
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