Chindee Carter insists she has “no regrets” over her brutal physical examination of Kaitlyn Clarke, as the Chicago Sky player addressed the incident directly for the first time.
Carter also claimed that her push toward Clark, which has drawn significant criticism and attention in recent days, came after she was shot in the head moments earlier.
The 25-year-old appeared to scream at the former Iowa star before slamming her to the ground. The Chicago player then refused to answer questions about Clark immediately after Saturday's loss to the Indiana Fever.
But after practice on Monday, she said: “I have no regrets about anything. I will compete and play hard 100 percent, no matter who it is or who we play.”
Carter said she acted in the “heat of the moment” and was simply taking revenge. The footage appears to show Clark elbowing the guard moments before she fell to the ground.
Caitlin Clark's body on the ground was inexplicably examined by the Chicago Sky's Chindi Carter
The Chicago player spoke about the incident directly for the first time after training on Monday
“I think I got hit in the head in the last match and it was just one of those things where it was in the heat of the moment. I don't know Kaitlyn. I don't know her from anyone, but at the end of the day, this is very tough. It's competitive,” she said.
“That's basketball. If you're playing with someone like me, I classify myself as a dawg.” So, if you're going to throw a punch, I'm going to punch you.
“When we're inside those four lines, there's smoke,” Carter added. “After all that love, we didn't hit it like it was in the streets. It's just a basketball.”
The 25-year-old, who received the support of Whoopi Goldberg on Monday, was asked if she now accepts that her actions went too far.
Chicago Sky head coach Teresa Witherspoon even publicly criticized the play, insisting it was “inappropriate.”
“She and I discussed what happened and that it wasn't appropriate, and it's not about what we do or who we are,” Witherspoon said.
But Carter insisted: “There is no line. I compete. I'll compete… If you're going to punch first, I'll compete. It's all love. It's basketball.
“It happens in the NBA.” In fact, I'm focused on New York (Liberty) now, and I'm not really focused on that play anymore. It happened… and it's over.
Clark and Carter clashed on Saturday as Fever defeated Sky in a close battle
Carter even claimed that the incident would bring rival players closer together and is actually good for the WNBA.
She continued: “This is a moment that brings everyone closer and gives the league an opportunity to unite.” “All those things that have happened, it's really great for our league. It's a great rivalry. We're two great players competing on the national stage… It's all love.”
However, she criticized the fallout from the incident, which barely subsided in the days following Indiana's win.
We've been able to take a lot of hits over the last 24 or 48 hours. She said: “I am here smiling, and I am not complaining.”
“I don't know why we're pulling it.” “But we keep putting off a play that happened and a whole fourth quarter happened after that…we just have to leave that play.”
Earlier this week, Carter took another jab at Clark, writing on social media: “Kudos to all these women, they make the WNBA really interesting…besides three point shooting what does (Clark) bring to the table man “.
“I'm not answering any questions for Caitlin Clark,” Carter said on stage after the game.
When asked about those comments, she said:As you can see, everyone took to social media and told us what they thought…it's all in good fun. I don't really take it seriously. It's just a joke.
“It's become a big national story. We've thrown things like racism and different things at players that shouldn't even be brought up,” Carter added.
“This is the game I love, this is the game I'm passionate about and at the end of the day, I'm grateful to be able to show it to everyone.” And if you're going to watch the match, watch the entire match before giving your opinion.
“Just watch the whole game and get to know the players… I've seen a lot of fans not understanding who I am as a player.” You have to understand me as a person too, and not just look at one tape and form an opinion about me.
