WNBA’s Shakira Austin Says Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese Drama Has Made Things Worse for Other Players (Exclusive)

Shakira Austin, forward for the Washington Mystics, shared her candid thoughts on the impact of social media in professional sports, particularly regarding the ongoing drama between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Austin expressed that the controversy surrounding their rivalry has only added more challenges for players, especially women in sports.

“We’re always going to face ignorant comments,” Austin, 24, told Us Weekly exclusively in a partnership with Tylenol. “Unfortunately, as women, we’re always on the receiving end of that. We just keep fighting, trying to find real communities that support us, and ignoring the trolls as best as we can.”

Austin, who has been outspoken about the difficulties of navigating online hate, noted that things had gotten notably worse over the past year. “The whole Caitlin and Angel thing has made it more difficult,” she admitted, referring to the ongoing rivalry between Clark, 23, and Reese, 22. Both players made waves in their rookie seasons, with Clark representing Iowa and Reese at LSU. Their rivalry has only intensified since entering the WNBA, continuing to dominate media attention.

Many have speculated that Clark, who is white, has garnered more media attention due to her race, while Reese, who is Black, has faced a different level of exposure. Austin, however, emphasized that regardless of the racial dynamics at play, the hate and negative commentary on social media have been particularly disheartening in a space like the WNBA, which strives to be inclusive.

“It’s getting tiring to see the same annoying comments,” Austin confessed. “I get calls from my dad all the time saying, ‘Oh my God, I want to say something to this little troll so bad.’ And I’m like, ‘Dad, no. Just ignore them.’”

Despite the challenges, Austin remains optimistic about the future of women’s basketball, even with the rise in online negativity. “Honestly, with the growth of the game, we’re unfortunately dealing with even more of a fight for acceptance and understanding,” she said.

Austin’s promising career has been marred by injuries, including hip surgery in December 2023 to repair a labrum tear, as well as a sprained ankle that limited her 2024 season. However, with a clean bill of health heading into the 2025 WNBA season, she’s eager to get back on the court