Indiana Fever guard Aari McDonald (2) brings the ball up court against the Chicago Sky during the first half at United Center. Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
By Sean Keeley on

In recent years, WNBA players have had to weather an outsized storm of commentary and criticism from people who previously didn’t seem to care much about their league.

The ascension of Caitlin Clark and the arrival of players like Angel Reese, Paige Beuckers, and Sophia Cunningham have led to a focus from some corners of media and fandom where the quality of play is the last thing they’re concerned with. Instead, critiquing players’ looks, aggressiveness, and off-court activities seems to be of more interest.

So when they see a social media post like the one Former ESPN and FS1 personality Jason Whitlock shared Sunday, it doesn’t go unnoticed anymore.

After Whitlock asked if “any female WNBA fans give me an opinion on Aari McDonalds wig?,” adding that it “looks crazy to me,” the Fever guard decided to respond.

“LOL I usually don’t respond to foolishness like this, but I couldn’t help myself this time,” she wrote on X Sunday afternoon. “You’re very lame for commenting on a woman’s appearance, and for your information, it’s not a wig. Don’t make me get @stephenasmith.”

Either out of feeling bad about making the comment or concern over the potential Stephen A. Smith clapback, Whitlock would later apologize.

In 18 games, McDonald is averaging 9.8 points, 4.7 assists, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals.

About Sean Keeley

Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.

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