WNBA Star Caitlin Clark Faces Stalker’s Threats on Social Media

WNBA star Caitlin Clark has faced stalking charges from 55-year-old Texas man Michael Lewis, who allegedly sent her multiple threatening and sexually explicit messages on social media. Police arrested Lewis on Sunday at a hotel in Indianapolis where Clark’s team, the Indiana Fever is based. He could face up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted. Court documents reveal that Lewis sent messages between December 16 and January 2 that included alarming statements such as claiming to have driven by Clark’s home multiple times and planning to attend her games to sit behind her team’s bench.

The messages sent via the platform X (formerly Twitter), made Clark feel intimidated and fearful for her safety, prosecutors said. Clark, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, reported the messages to police, expressing concerns about her personal safety. She took steps to alter her appearance in public to avoid being recognized. Authorities traced the messages to Lewis’s location at a downtown Indianapolis hotel using IP addresses which led to his arrest. Lewis reportedly dismissed the messages as a “joke” and a product of “imagination,” according to court filings.

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears praised Clark for her courage in coming forward, noting that many women hesitate to report such incidents. He stressed the importance of creating a safe environment free from threats of sexual violence. This case follows another high-profile stalking incident involving women’s college basketball star Paige Bueckers, highlighting ongoing concerns about the harassment of female athletes. Clark’s decision to report the threats serves as a reminder of the challenges many women face in maintaining their safety while in the public eye.