CHICAGO, IL – Chicago Sky players recently recounted incidents of harassment they experienced outside their team hotel in Washington, D.C. Star rookie Angel Reese expressed outrage over a teammate having a camera shoved in her face as they exited the bus.

The team arrived in Washington ahead of their game against the Washington Mystics, where they were targeted by a man, reportedly focusing on player Chennedy Carter due to a recent on-court incident that garnered national attention.

Brianna Turner, a forward for the Sky, emphasized the unsettling environment created by recent headlines, despite not being present during the harassment incident. Turner and Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca praised the team’s security for handling the situation and keeping the players safe. Fellow Sky player Isabelle Harrison echoed Turner’s sentiments, expressing gratitude for the team’s security intervention.

The attention surrounding Carter’s rough play against Caitlin Clark sparked a wave of reactions, with Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon criticizing Carter’s actions as inappropriate. A letter penned by Indiana Congressman Jim Banks to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert further addressed concerns about player treatment. Reese, who had supported Carter during the foul, embraced the role of being the “bad guy” in her rivalry with Clark, emphasizing the collective effort to elevate women’s basketball.

Reese highlighted the contributions of multiple players in the league’s growth and expressed readiness to be remembered for her role in advancing women’s basketball. The significance of unity among players in propelling the sport forward was underscored by Reese, emphasizing the collective impact of athletes in shaping the future of women’s basketball. The incidents outside the team hotel shed light on the challenges athletes face both on and off the court, prompting reflection on the importance of supporting and respecting players in the WNBA.