Playing alongside Caitlin Clark has its perks, but the spotlight surrounding the Indiana Fever star also comes at a cost. Kelsey Mitchell knows that firsthand, as the 5-foot-8 guard recently opened up about the “flak” players face simply for being her teammates. So when Clark addressed Mitchell’s comments during her own exit interview, veteran journalist Jemele Hill turned attention to the uncomfortable reality that the Fever guard has to navigate.

“It’s a really tough position for her to be in,” Hill said on the October 10 episode of Flagrant and Funny. “And though she is not a rookie, she’s not necessarily the most experienced player. She’s still learning on the fly. And I know she didn’t anticipate becoming this avatar of hatred for some people. And so she’s in a rough spot.”

“I’m sure she wants the Indiana fans to know that she appreciates and loves them, and loves that they have created – sans the racism and all that other stuff – an intimidating atmosphere in that arena because it is independent of the shenanigans. It’s a tough place to play, and I’m sure she wants that part of it. She doesn’t want the other stuff, but I don’t know at this point if they could be separated,” she further added.

Mitchell raised the issue during her October 3 exit interview, putting a spotlight on the less comfortable side of playing for a franchise whose popularity has grown significantly since 2024. Five days later, Caitlin Clark, speaking during her own exit interview on October 8, made it clear that the treatment of her teammates was something she took personally, especially when the attention surrounding her crossed into abuse and discrimination.

“As her teammate, it makes you upset because you care about your teammates so much, and you don’t want any of them to go through something like that,” Clark said. “As far as people that have used me to demonstrate r**ist rhetoric, or hate, or discrimination, that’s not something I stand for. It’s never been something I’ve stood for. For those of you that know me, you know that’s not what I’m about. It’s not how I was raised. So, that’s really disappointing when people do that.”

Indiana undoubtedly has one of the most passionate fan bases in the WNBA, and its supporters can make life a living hell for visiting teams at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. But that intensity has also spilled into confrontations. Take Game 2 of the first-round playoff series between the Fever and Las Vegas Aces as an example.

A’ja Wilson got into an altercation with a Fever fan who reportedly pointed at her and directed comments toward her following a play involving the Aces star and Sophie Cunningham. And although arena security reportedly found no violation of the fan code of conduct, the incident highlighted how the atmosphere surrounding Indiana basketball can become uncomfortable for players on either side.

Then, take head coach Stephanie White as another example. She faced calls for her job throughout the 2026 season, fueled in part by speculation about her relationship with Caitlin Clark and whether she was making enough use of the star guard. Those calls are still in play after Indiana’s first-round playoff exit against the Aces, even though Clark publicly defended her coach.

So the Fever now find themselves in a difficult position. They have a passionate fan base that has helped elevate the franchise, but they also have Clark, their biggest star, speaking out against the racism and discrimination directed at her teammates, including Mitchell, whom Indiana hopes to retain in free agency. As Hill pointed out, separating the intimidating atmosphere that benefits the Fever on the court from the harmful behavior surrounding it may not be so easy. For Indiana, balancing its growing popularity with the need to protect its players could prove to be one of the more concerning realities of the Caitlin Clark era.