Caitlin Clark

Pot Patron Saint Snoop Dogg Plans To Once Again Give Up Smoke While Covering The Olympics In Paris: ‘They Can Test Me If They Want To’

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Snoop Dogg’s promise to “give up smoke” last year may have been a sales-oriented ruse, but when he’s in Paris covering the Olympics next month, he’s definitely not going to be packing any paraphernalia. During a new interview with Time magazine, the patron saint of pot was asked about whether Paris’ prohibition of his favorite plant would affect his plans.

After assuring writer Sean Gregory that he’s “a very legal guy,” when it comes to keeping up on the rules and regulations of reefer in his international travels, Snoop affirmed, “I plan on going out there and doing NBC Olympic work. Being clean as a book, clean as the athletes. They can test me if they want to. I’m going to be out there doing what I’m supposed to be doing to make sure I bring home the gold. Which is me.”

The Doggfather also offered some salient samples of his sports insights regarding a pair of contrasting, but equally controversial athletes, Caitlin Clark and Sha’Carri Richardson. With regard to whether Clark should have made the Olympic team in basketball, Snoop was adamant: No.

“They ain’t lost in about 18 years,” he recalled. “On the women’s side in basketball, in the Olympics, they know what they’re doing. What they said is basically, she’s great, but I don’t believe she’s gold-medal-worthy until she pulls her stuff in the WNBA. This is a big step from college to the WNBA. I love what she’s done for the sport in general. But you’ve got to understand, these are WNBA players that have been seasoned to do this. And when you’re going for that gold medal, you want your best girls out there.”

For Richardson, he jovially compared his track performance to hers to point out the Olympic committee’s error in classifying cannabis as a performance enhancer. “I just ran a 34.44 in the 200 meters and I was smoking all night. So that sh*t ain’t got nothing to do with helping my time at all. It f*cked my time up, if anything. Unless they got some super sh*t to get you faster. Let me know where it is and I’ll be the first to try.”

You can read the full interview here.

SOURCE SPORTS: Angel Reese Drops 25 Points and 16 Rebounds to Lead Sky Over Caitlin Clark and Fever

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Angel Reese Drops 25 Points and 16 Rebounds to Lead Sky Over Caitlin Clark and Fever

Angel Reese scored 10 of her game-high 25 points during Chicago’s 18-5 run to close the game, leading the Sky to an 88-87 victory over the Fever on Sunday.

Reese, who notched a career-high 25 points and 16 rebounds, extended her rookie-record streak by posting her eighth straight double-double. This achievement places her in an elite company, and she joined Candace Parker and Sylvia Fowles as the only WNBA players to accomplish this feat.

Caitlin Clark also made headlines, scoring 17 points and setting a franchise record with 13 assists. She became the 10th player and the first rookie in WNBA history to achieve a 17/13 game. Clark’s exceptional playmaking was pivotal in Chicago’s comeback, keeping the team’s offense dynamic and effective.

The Sky’s late-game heroics overshadowed a strong performance from the Fever, who led for much of the game. However, Reese’s dominance on both ends of the court and Clark’s playmaking ensured that Chicago clinched the win dramatically.

This victory boosts the Sky’s playoff hopes, highlighting the impact of their rookie stars. With Reese and Clark setting records and leading by example, Chicago’s future looks promising as they compete in the tightly contested WNBA season.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Angel Reese Drops 25 Points and 16 Rebounds to Lead Sky Over Caitlin Clark and Fever first appeared on The Source.

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Angel Reese Defends Hard Flagrant Foul On Caitlin Clark As Just A “Basketball Play”

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Angel Reese received a flagrant foul after smacking Caitlin Clark to the ground as she drove to the rim on Sunday afternoon during the Chicago Sky’s game against the Indiana Fever. Despite it appearing to be a hard hit, Reese defended the move as a “basketball play” while speaking with reporters afterward. The Fever ended up taking the game 91-83.

“A basketball play. It was a basketball play,” Reese said. “I can’t control the refs. They affected the game obviously a lot tonight.” From there, she suggested that some players get a “special whistle.” “I think we went up really strong a lot of times, and we didn’t get a lot of calls,” Reese further argued. “Going back and looking at the film, I’ve seen a lot of calls that weren’t made. I guess some people got a special whistle. But just being able to play hard as best as we can.”

Read More: Angel Reese Cheers As Teammate Shoves Caitlin Clark To The Ground

Angel Reese Argues After Fouling Caitlin Clark

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JUNE 16: Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky reacts after fouling Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 16, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Fever coach Christie Sides thought the call was the correct one. “The right call was made in that moment,” Sides said. “Just make the right call in those moments, and we can move forward. But when we don’t make the right call in those moments, that’s when there’s a problem, and they made the right call tonight.” She had previously complained about the referees in prior games not calling hard fouls on Clark as flagrant. One such instance occurred the last time the Sky took on the Fever when Chennedy Carter fouled Clark.

Angel Reese Fouls Cailin Clark As She Drives To The Hoop

Check out a clip of Reese stopping Clark’s drive to the basket above. Be on the lookout for further updates on Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Travis Scott Was Praising Caitlin Clark Years Before Her National Fame, NBA Trainer Recalls

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Caitlin Clark Supporters Have Officially Forgotten What Sports Are All About

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The Caitlin Clark discourse continues to be a hot-button issue in the sports world. Caitlin was drafted no. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever and had massive expectations placed on her. Her introduction into the WNBA, where she has shown flashes of offensive greatness but has ultimately struggled, has brought out the worst of the media’s coverage and fans’ engagement of the sport. Almost immediately, the discussion became toxic. Fans and media personalities have criticized how Clark has been treated in the WNBA. Clark is a rookie who just finished her college season a couple of months ago. The WNBA is a physical and competitive league full of grown women.

Clark’s fans expected her to pick up where she left off in college. People familiar with the league would say it is a rough transition, and it has been a rough transition for Caitlin Clark. But, the same arguments are being brought up. Fans and media are saying the other players are jealous of Clark. That they should ease up, even saying they should let her win. Her exclusion from the Team USA women’s basketball team has sparked even more debate. Her supporters argue she should be on the team for marketing reasons so that the women’s game can grow. The idea that she should have special treatment just because of her popularity and the eyes she brings to the game is valid. However, it is ultimately against the very idea of how sports fundamentally have worked. The decision-makers for USA basketball have put merit over the potential eyeball.

Read More: Caitlin Clark Breaks Silence On Olympics Snub: “It Gives Me Something To Work For”

Caitlin Clark’s Special Treatment Is Anti-Sports

Sports have long been, at least on the outside, a place of meritocracy. Athletes have to earn their spot and overcome challenges to become successful. Much of the Catilin Clark talk comes down to fans and media personalities wanting to push her to the front of the line instead of simply following her journey. The journey great athletes go on is what endears them to us and makes them truly great. It pays off to a story about an individual you have witnessed from beginning to end. When fans and media try to skip those steps in the name of marketing and “growing” the game, it not only robs us of an incredible story but also robs Caitlin Clark of her own experiences.

Clark is a competitor at the end of the day. She wants to compete at the highest level. It doesn’t matter if she is fouled hard or targeted (something that happens to rookies). The argument that Clark should be given this special treatment is an insult to her and goes against what sports has always been about. Michael Jordan failed for years and was broken down by the Detroit Pistons until what? He overcame the obstacle in front of him and became undeniable. If Caitlin Clark is so great, why not let her carve her story out and see if she can reach the lofty heights everyone expects? The bumps in the road are supposed to make us care about the journey and the person we are following, not lobby for the road to be paved and smoothed out specifically for her.   

Read More: Plies Asks Caitlin Clark Fans An Important Question

The Caitlin Clark Argument Comes Down To Marketing Vs Merits

The argument against just letting Caitlin play everything out and earn her way to her stardom is one of marketing. ESPN personalities Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe are firmly in the follow-the-money camp. They have routinely said that merit doesn’t matter when it comes to Caitlin Clark. Worse, they preach to various women on ESPN that if they want the game to grow, then Clark needs special treatment. This line of thinking is especially prevalent when discussing Clark being left off of Team USA for the Olympics. Her supporters say that even though she doesn’t deserve a spot and isn’t ready for that level of basketball, she should have a spot on the team because of the potential eyeballs she will bring that will make everyone a lot of money, and so on.

It’s undeniable that there may be some uptick in interest in women’s Olympic basketball if Caitlin Clark is on the team. Would it have been wise to include her in the marketing possibilities? Yes, it would have. Does she deserve a spot based on her ability? Absolutely not. The decision not to include Clark isn’t a diss to her, but Team USA is sticking to the mission at hand and assembling the best team they possibly could. In four years, Caitlin Clark will be more than deserving of a spot on the team. But she hasn’t earned it yet. You cannot blame the WNBA or Team USA for throwing away the competitive nature of the sport. Clark herself is OK with the decision. She will do what a competitor does, get in the lab, and work to make the team the next time.

Read More: Stephen A. Smith Goes Off On Peter Rosenberg In Unhinged Rant After Caitlin Clark Criticism

Is The Game Really Being Grown?

Caitlin Clark has brought a ton of eyes to the WNBA on the surface, but is she growing the game? The “we want it now” nature of the discourse around her means there really isn’t any patience from fans or media regarding her impact. There is a feeling that she isn’t bringing new fans to the WNBA, but new fans that solely follow her and are interested in her for good and bad reasons. Her popularity should be an organic force of growth, not a toxic flood of people who don’t really want the actual basketball. The most prominent voices that have hopped on the WNBA train, Stephen A. Smith, and Shannon Sharpe, are clearly not interested in the basketball being played. If that’s Clark’s fans’ attitude, then there won’t be any meaningful growth for the league; it’ll just be for her.

The WNBA has a talented crop of rookies that have come in with Caitlin Clark. Angel Reese, Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson, and Aaliyah Edwards, to name a few, have all taken the league by storm and are promising in their own right. Combined with the already cemented stars, like A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, and Breanna Stewart, the league is in a good place to grow into something special. It’s not going to get there if it rests solely on one Caitlin Clark’s shoulders, and it’s unfair to put the success of an entire sports league on her.

Read More: Stephen A. Smith And Andraya Carter Get Into Heated Debate About Caitlin Clark Being Snubbed From The Olympic Team

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Shannon Sharpe Called Out By Fans For Hypocrisy Regarding Sha’Carri Richardson And Caitlin Clark’s Olympic Snubs

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Two of the most talked-about American athletes, Sha’Carri Richardson and Caitlin Clark, come from diverse backgrounds and sports, among many other things. However, they have had similar setbacks at the Olympic level. Preventing them from qualifying for their first Olympics at pivotal junctures in their careers. Sha’Carri Richardson’s failing drug test kept him out of the Olympics in 2021. As for the USA women’s basketball team, which is headed to the Olympics in Paris, Caitlin Clark was just cut from the team for not “checking more boxes” than the other 12 players chosen. Shannon Sharpe has come under fire for his hypocrisy about the two women’s similar circumstances. 

In the argument, Shannon Sharpe has stirred up some controversy. The well-known sportscaster has had contrasting views over Sha’Carri Richardson and Caitlin Clark’s failure to qualify for the Olympics. Fans claim that his criticism of Richardson is unjustified. Sharpe has since received heavy criticism for his remarks. Shannon Sharpe recently supported the rookie Caitlin Clark after word leaked that she would not be playing for the United States at the Olympics in Paris.

Read More: Shannon Sharpe Under Fire For Insensitive Reaction To Ray J Being Groomed & Sexually Abused As A 14-Year Old

Shannon Sharpe Called Out For Sha’Carri Richardson And Caitlin Clark Hypocrisy

Shannon Sharpe backed Caitlin Clark by smashing USA Basketball’s decision to leave her off the Olympic team. He said, “Name a more popular woman basketball player right now than Caitlin Clark.” However, he had a fiery reaction to Sharri Richardson when asked about her losing her Olympic berth. Criticizing the sprinter, he said, “She could’ve competed. She didn’t qualify to compete. Stop the bulljive antics. Train hard. Sports aren’t sympathetic. You do or you don’t.” 

Sha’Carri Richardson was suspended for ingesting prohibited drugs in violation of WADA regulations. She participated in and won the 100-meter US Olympic trial event in spite of her anguish. Sadly, Shannon Sharpe, who supported the authority’s choice of Caitlin Clark due to her popularity, didn’t appear to think much of this touching tale. The 2024 WNBA draft saw an average viewership of 2.45 million, the most ever for the yearly event, thanks in large part to Iowa women’s basketball player Caitlin Clark. The 22-year-old is a fantastic performer, scoring 16.8 points per contest on average. Fans of Sha’Carri Richardson, however, feel that Shannon Sharpe’s mockery of the current world champion’s supporters is inexcusable. 

Read More: Shannon Sharpe Announces Massive Multi-Year ESPN Deal On “First Take”

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Stephen A. Smith Goes Off On Peter Rosenberg In Unhinged Rant After Caitlin Clark Criticism

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Stephen A. Smith has been at the forefront of the Caitlin Clark discourse for the past few weeks. Yesterday, he called the decision to leave Caitlin Clark off of Team USA for the Olympics “stupid.” Additionally, he has gotten into heated arguments with several woman cohosts like Monica McNutt and Andraya Carter, both of whom are more informed about the WNBA than he is. Furthermore, Caitlin Clark is a political lightning rod for many people, and Smith is included in that number. Peter Rosenberg recently commented on the Caitlin Clark drama and mentioned Stephen A. Smith by name.  All in all, the comments seem to have really gotten to Stephen A.

Stephen A. Smith made a special rant before taking off for Dallas to cover Wednesday’s NBA finals game 3. He responds to Rosenberg by saying that Stephen A. has jumped on Caitlin Clark and is being treated unfairly. His point actually makes a lot of sense. Rosenberg said plainly that Caitlin Clark herself just wanted to play basketball. Nevertheless, she has become a symbol of something controversial for people like Stephen A. to latch on to. He says the idea that she is being treated unfairly is unfair to the other women of the WNBA, who are being treated like props. Additionally, Peter Rosenberg says that if that’s the angle you are going for, then maybe you don’t really care about the actual women’s game itself. Stephen A. took major offense. 

Read More: Stephen A. Smith Walks Back Will Smith Criticism Amid Massive Backlash

Stephen A. Smith Claps back at Peter Rosenberg

Peter Rosenberg believes that Caitlin Clark has unwillingly become the face of white fragility and that Stephen A. Smith has hopped on that train. Stephen A. is very upset if you watch the clip. He curses throughout the rant and is personally offended by the acquisition. Additionally, he clarifies his position about Caitlin Clark being left off the Olympic team. Smith says that she doesn’t deserve to be on the team. Nevertheless, Smith cares about marketing more than anything and says that the team needs Caitlin Clark to grow the sport. Nevertheless, Rosenberg’s point about actually caring about the games being played is reinforced by Smith’s own doubling down.

Stephen A. Smith does not take criticism well and personally went after Rosenberg in his 11-minute rant. It is pretty funny that Smith was literally about to hop on a flight and stopped everything to rant about a slight diss. Overall, Stephen A. Smith is not someone who admits they are wrong or changes their position. Ultimately, he cares about money and views more than anything, which is why First Take continues to push out Caitlin Clark’s debates. All in all, Peter Rosenberg will more than likely respond in due time.

Read More: Paul George To Join Stephen A. Smith And Crew As Analyst For NBA Finals

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Plies Asks Caitlin Clark Fans An Important Question

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Caitlin Clark is the hottest name in women’s sports right now despite her WNBA team, The Indiana Fever, being 3-10. Clark’s name is a lightning rod for controversy. She has her own fans who generally don’t care about the WNBA but only her being a part of it. There has been a lot of talk about Caitlin Clark growing the game, but is it really growing the game if it’s just one person people care about? That is the basic question rapper Plies posed to his timeline yesterday.

Plies asked a question, presumably while watching the Connecticut Sun blow out the Indiana Fever. He asked, “The 10,000 CC Fans At This Connecticut Game! Don’t Even Cheer For No Other Players That Scores Other Than Her. So How Is This Growing The Game??? (Not Being Funny Asking A Serious Question).” he observed that the fans at the game only cared about Clark and would rarely cheer for the other team or her teammates. The Fever was playing an away game, but the fact that some believe that the majority of fans don’t even care about anyone else may be a big concern. Plies is just curious about what fans think of the situation, hence the question.

Read More: Stephen A. Smith And Andraya Carter Get Into Heated Debate About Caitlin Clark Being Snubbed From The Olympic Team 

Plies Asks Caitlin Clark Fans An Important Question

Many fans replied to Plies’s question about Caitlin Clark. Many of the replies cite the record attendance and ratings for the WNBA and attribute it all to Caitlin Clark’s influence. One user compared her to Tiger Woods, who brought in millions of new golf fans. The big difference is that Tiger Woods was a dominant force in the jump, and Clark is still finding her footing in a physical league. The Caitlin Clark fans are seemingly more and more fans of the individual and could care less about the actual sport. This is why coverage of the WNBA leans so heavily toward talking about Caitlin Clark’s treatment in the league. Rather than the actual basketball that’s being played.

Overall, Plies asked an interesting question. Growing the game is the big thing fans keep bringing up, but from a neutral perspective, it seems like building a house on sand. What happens if Clark is just a middling player who can score and doesn’t dominate like she did in college? What if Caitlin Clark fans look at other teams like Sun, who are dominant, or the Las Vegas Aces, who have the best women’s basketball player on the planet? All in all, it’ll take some time to see if putting all of the WNBA’s eggs in one basket was a smart move. 

Read More: Caitlin Clark Breaks Silence On Olympics Snub: “It Gives Me Something To Work For”

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SOURCE SPORTS: Caitlin Clark is ‘Excited’ for Women’s Olympic Basketball Despite Not Making Team USA

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Caitlin Clark is 'Excited' for Women's Olympic Basketball Despite Not Making Team USA

Caitlin Clark is excited about the Women’s Basketball Team USA roster despite not making the cut. Speaking after practice, Clark said it’s the “toughest team to make,” and she is excited about the final roster.

“I’m excited for the girls that are on the team,” Clark said. “I know it’s the most competitive team in the world and I know it could have gone either way — me being on the team or me not being on the team. I’m going to be rooting them on to win gold. I was a kid that grew up watching the Olympics, so it will be fun to watch them.

“Honestly, no disappointment. It just gives me something to work for. It’s a dream. Hopefully one day I can be there. I think it’s just a little more motivation. You remember that. Hopefully when four years comes back around, I can be there.”

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Caitlin Clark is ‘Excited’ for Women’s Olympic Basketball Despite Not Making Team USA first appeared on The Source.

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Caitlin Clark Breaks Silence On Olympics Snub: “It Gives Me Something To Work For”

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Caitlin Clark has finally addressed being left off the roster for the U.S. women’s basketball team in the upcoming Paris Olympics. Speaking with reporters on Sunday, she explained why she’s not disappointed by the news. The roster leaked with CNN sports analyst Christine Brennan explaining that the decision was the result of “concern over how Clark’s millions of fans would react to what would likely be limited playing time on a stacked roster.”

“I’m excited for the girls that are on the team,” Clark told reporters Sunday. “I know it’s the most competitive team in the world and I know it could have gone either way — me being on the team or me not being on the team. I’m going to be rooting them on to win gold. I was a kid that grew up watching the Olympics, so it will be fun to watch them.” As for whether not receiving a spot on the team is a disappointment, she added: “Honestly, no disappointment. It just gives me something to work for; it’s a dream. Hopefully one day I can be there. I think it’s just a little more motivation. You remember that. Hopefully when four years comes back around, I can be there.”

Read More: Stephen A Smith Welcomes Monica McNutt Back On “First Take,” Clarifies Angel Reese & Caitlin Clark Comments

Caitlin Clark Speaks With The Media

WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 07: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever talks to the media before the game against the Washington Mystics at Capital One Arena on June 07, 2024, in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

The 22-year-old joined the Indiana Fever as a rookie, earlier this year, after a historic college campaign at Iowa. She’s currently averaging 16.8 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.3 rebounds for the 3-9 team. She would’ve been the only player under 26 on the Olympic roster. Check out her full comments on the decision below.

Caitlin Clark Discusses The Olympic Team

Fans’ next opportunity to watch Clark and the Fever play will come on Monday night when the team takes on the Connecticut Sun. Be on the lookout for further updates on Caitlin Clark on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Angel Reese Cheers As Teammate Shoves Caitlin Clark To The Ground

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Chennedy Carter Gets Harassed By Fan While Getting Off Chicago Sky Bus Four Days After Caitlin Clark Incident

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The consequences of Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter’s strong foul on Caitlin Clark are becoming more and more out of pocket. Three of Carter’s Sky teammates claimed to have experienced harassment at a team hotel. The incident took place four days after the rookie Indiana Fever player received a hard shoulder check. The Sky travel to play the Washington Mystics on Thursday. Carter isn’t mentioned by name in any of the tweets. However, according to Angel Reese and Isabelle Harrison, as the team got off the bus, one of their colleagues was deliberately targeted and had a camera in her face. Ultimately, the tension was defused by the team’s security, according to Michaela Onyenwere.

Later, Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun-Times offered additional information. Stating that one man approached the group while carrying a camera and made an effort to talk to Carter. According to reports, Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca stated that team security walked the man away and that no police were contacted. “It was over as fast as it started,” Pagliocca said. “I’m very confident in our security always making our players feel safe. Today was a great example of how critical they are to our team.”

Read More: Shannon Sharpe Goes Off On WNBA Players For Their Treatment Of Caitlin Clark And Angel Reese

Chennedy Carter Gets Camera Put In Her Face

The incident is the most recent indication that Carter’s penalty on Clark, which was eventually raised to a flagrant foul, has developed into what is maybe the most contentious play in the WNBA this season. Furthermore, it has ignited a heated discussion about Clark’s standing in the league. After the game, Carter declined to talk about the foul and subsequently stated that she had “no regrets” about what she had done. She even went so far as to challenge Clark’s ability to do anything other than make 3-pointers on social media.

In a statement, Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon said that the foul was “not appropriate.” Reese, who was spotted applauding on the sidelines when Carter fouled Clark, said she was delighted to “take the bad guy role.” Notably, Carter and Clark were seen jawing back and forth the possession prior to the hard foul. The discourse around Clark’s treatment is a complicated matter. It’s not a good sign that fans are taking things into their own hands. Overall, the whole situation is taking away from what the WNBA should be trying to promote.

Read More: Angel Reese Gets Hit With $1k Fine For Dodging Media After Caitlin Clark Showdown

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