League: WNBA Sport: Basketball Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Stephanie White defends Alyssa Thomas amidst backlash over foul call

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 3, 2026, 4:06 AM

Last updated Jul 3, 2026

Stephanie White defends Alyssa Thomas amidst backlash over foul call

Summary

Stephanie White, coach of a rival WNBA team, defended Alyssa Thomas following backlash over Thomas' foul on Caitlin Clark. White labelled the online response 'egregious' after Thomas received a flagrant 2 assessment for hand-on-neck contact. Former player Angel McCoughtry criticized the league's delayed response and lack of communication regarding player safety. Thomas expressed disappointment over WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert's silence on the issue, which has highlighted ongoing concerns over player protection from online threats. Engelbert later condemned hate directed at players, emphasizing the league's commitment to safety but faced criticism for not acting sooner.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•White supported Thomas despite being a rival coach
•Thomas faced online threats after a controversial foul
•McCoughtry criticized the league’s delayed response
•Engelbert condemned hate but was criticized for silence
•League's safety measures and player protection are under scrutiny

Latest Updates

4:06 AMYahoo Sports — “Not a Good Look”: Stephanie White’s Defense of Alyssa Thomas Brings Ex-Player's Attention to a Troubling WNBA Reality

What they're saying

"
Stephanie White supported Alyssa Thomas despite being a coach on a rival team. The same player who was deemed a flagrant 2 for her hand-on-neck contact with Caitlin Clark, White’s star.
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Connecticut Sun Las Vegas Aces Minnesota Lynx Phoenix Mercury WNBA Basketball