She has trouble holding back her tears. Alongside her teammate Dana Evans facing the pressIsabelle Harrison denounces the “ sectarianism and racism ” on social networks suffered by the Chicago Sky players this season.
” I've never experienced this much hate and harassment all season. It makes me emotional. It's hard because it never should have happened like this. You just want to play basketball. If it's online, it's online. But today, we're getting trapped. I have to block people all the time who are telling stories about us. “, denounces the replacement.
Difficult in this context ” to focus on basketball ” for a team that finished in a modest 10th place, two wins from the playoffs (13 wins – 27 losses). Her speech echoes that already given by her young teammate Angel Reese, who spoke of ” racism ” from some fans, especially those of Caitlin Clark, in addition to being the victim of ” death threats “.
” I'll be honest, it was tough. Really tough. We're professionals. We know we can play, but when you have people who are supposed to be your supporters constantly criticizing you, it feels like a slap in the face. It was really disgusting. “, also denounces Dana Evans, convinced that she will be ” much better mentally ” next season thanks to that.
An expected awareness
This feeling is probably largely linked to the fact that the women's championship has never attracted as much attention as it does today. More people interested and therefore more potential excesses online or in the rooms.
” I appreciate the new faces, but if it comes with hate, bigotry, and racism, with even people who look like me bashing me… Keep that offline because it’s so hurtful, you don’t know how much it affects people. It’s something a lot of new fans should be aware of “, judges Isabelle Harrison.
This one, which does not want this malice to have repercussions ” in the locker room “, tries to distance himself from these hate speeches. ” Even being on the sidelines, it still happens. I get a lot of support too, but when you get that much negativity and you have a job to do… you just have to tune it all out. » « If you want to support Sky, support Sky ” she finally demands.
