Clark was honest in her words about the incident© Getty

Jake Paul has waded into the discourse surrounding Chennedy Carter’s controversial foul on WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark and the reaction of rival Angel Reese. The boxer is the latest sporting figure to give his take on the cynical barge, which caused such consternation during the WNBA clash between the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever.

The former Iowa college basketball star eventually had the last laugh during a tense evening in Indianapolis as her team recorded a first home win of the campaign. The Fever edged out a 71-70 win, with Clark posting 11 points, eight rebounds and six assists en route to victory.

However, the push on the youngster – deemed a common foul in real time – has dominated the discourse surrounding the game in the aftermath. Since upgraded to a flagrant-1 violation by the WNBA, Carter had left the Fever rookie sprawling on the floor after her barge in the third quarter of the affair.

Following the game, the Chicago star refused to be drawn on the incident during a press conference, while Reese also came in for criticism for applauding the push from the bench. Now, boxer Paul has given his take on the situation, saying: “Hating on Caitlin Clark is hating on opportunity for an entire sport.”

Clark was honest in her words about the incident© Getty

One fan took to the comments to reply: “She’s literally the reason everyone is gonna get pay raises and private charter planes for the wnba, why do they want her gone,” while another of Clark’s defenders also said: “Caitlin Clark should leave the wnba and join the big 3 and watch the wnba crumble. She is bigger than women’s basketball.”

The remarks from YouTuber-turned-fighter Paul were also echoed by the golf influencer Paige Spiranac, who spoke in a similar vein, asserting: “Imagine bringing millions of new fans to the game which in turn will make every player more money and yet they treat you like this. A rising tide lifts all boats.”

One of the most barbed reactions to the whole episode came via sports media tycoon Dave Portnoy, who seemed irked by the actions of Carter, alongside the reaction of teammate Reese. He said on Twitter/X: “MAKE EM ALL FLY COMMERCIAL!!!”

“I didn’t even see this. Angel Reese is such a clown. Yet she loses to Caitlin yet again,” he later said, before calling her out again for her after she was seen arm-in-arm with Carter at the close of the third quarter, as he added: “Angel Reese celebrating a blatant cheap shot like she won a title. Jealously is a disease.”

As for Clark, she was unequivocal in her resonse to the incident as she criticized Carter for her actions, saying: “Yeah, that’s just not a basketball play. But you know I’ve gotta play through it, that’s what basketball is about at this level. I thought we’ve been really physical, we’ve missed some bunnies around the rim, so hopefully those fall in the fourth.”

“It is what it is. I feel like I’m just at the point where you accept it and don’t retaliate. Just let them hit you, be what it is, don’t let it get in your head and know it’s coming. I think at this point, I know I’m gonna take a couple hard shots a game, and that’s what it is.”

Clark added: “I’m trying not to let it bother me, and just stay in the game and stay in what’s important. Because usually it’s the second person that gets caught if you retaliate or something. I’m just trying to stay in the game and focus on my team and focus on what’s important.”