Members of the Chicago Sky spoke out against harassment they say they received throughout the season as it came to a close.
It’s the worst it’s ever been, they said.
“I’ll be honest, it was tough. It was really tough,” Dana Evans said Thursday night after their 87-54 loss to the Sun. “We’re professionals. We know that we can play this game, but when you’ve got people that’s steady bashing you that’s supposed to be our supporters, I feel like that was a little slap in the face.
“That was kind of hard to deal with. It was really disgusting. But I always say God does not make mistakes, and this season challenged my mental to another level. And I feel like I’m going to be so much better next season just mentally, prepared for everything.”
Isabelle Harrison pointed to “bigotry and racism” on social media.
“I’ve never experienced this much hate and harassment, this entire season.” Harrison said. “I get emotional about it. … It’s hard because it should have never been like that. You just want to play basketball. If it’s online, it’s online. But you now get tagged in it. I’m constantly having to block people, and people are just making narratives about you. It’s hurtful. And it’s hard to just focus on basketball.
“I appreciate the new eyes, but if this comes with hate and bigotry and racism and even people that look like me bashing me, keep it offline because it’s so hurtful, and you don’t know how that affects people. I just think that’s something that a lot of new fans should be mindful of, and we don’t want that to carry into the locker room.
“You just try to stay away from it. Even when you’re off it, it still happens. I get so much support from it, as well, but when you get so much negativity, and you have a job to do … you just have to block it out.”
The Sky have been one of the most-followed teams this season due to WNBA Rookie of the Year candidate Angel Reese, though they finished with a poor 13-27 record and missed out on the playoffs.
