Chicago Sky’s DiJonai Carrington finally responded to those criticizing her for posting “WHITE PRIVILEGE @indianafever” after being ejected for clotheslining Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham.
But her response still doesn’t explain why she chose those specific words to post on her Threads account, presumably from the locker room, following her ejection during Saturday’s loss to the Fever.
Carrington quote tweeted a retort to ex-NFL player and sports personality Emmanuel Acho, who said on his “Speakeasy” show that Carrington could not call her foul on Cunningham “White privilege.”
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DiJonai Carrington of the Chicago Sky looks on during a game against the Las Vegas Aces on Aug. 1, 2026, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Ill. (Getty Images)
“I’ve never once claimed that the assessment of the foul was white privilege (that was your assumption),” Carrington’s reply to Acho read on X. “Try exercising your critical thinking skills, I know you studied psych.
“Furthermore, I’m the LAST thing from ignorant or asinine when it comes to speaking on ‘white privilege,’ do ya research on that one. I actually went to school, one of the top universities might I add, to educate myself on this exact subject,” Carrington, who attended Stanford for four years before grad-transferring to Baylor, added. “I would never use that term as a rhetorical weapon knowing the historical and social weight it holds without having the proper evidence to substantiate it.”
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So, if Carrington’s Threads post wasn’t about the assessment of the foul, then what exactly did her Threads post refer to on Saturday night following her ejection?
Fox News Digital didn’t immediately receive a response from Carrington’s rep after asking that exact question.
Does Carrington’s post refer to Cunningham, though she didn’t accuse her by name and there was no evidence the foul has any connection to the Fever star’s position on transgender athletes in women’s sports? Does it refer to the Fever organization, or the WNBA as a whole?
Carrington took time to reduce the list of possibilities by one, but for whatever reason, continues to remain vague and mysterious about the controversial post.
The WNBA has yet to announce any discipline for Carrington’s actions in the loss to the Fever, which occurred late in the first quarter when she was hawking Cunningham, who had a breakaway layup. When Cunningham went up, Carrington jumped and smacked her in the face.
DiJonai Carrington of the Chicago Sky fouls Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever during the first half Aug. 8, 2026, at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Cunningham was livid, getting up from the hardwood and confronting Carrington face-to-face. As she was being held back by teammates, she shoved Carrington slightly before officials stepped in as well.
After official review, Carrington’s foul was upgraded to a Flagrant 2, and she was ejected from the game.
Cunningham has been at the center of a widening political debate about biological men in women’s sports, as supporters of her stance held a fourth rally outside the Fever road game at the United Center in Chicago on Saturday, while counterprotesters also gathered near the venue.
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Cunningham has stated she does not harbor any hatred toward transgender people, but she believes protecting girls and women in sports is “common sense.” She has received backlash for her belief, and the debate has spilled inside and outside of WNBA venues, while discourse continues online.
Meanwhile, this isn’t the first time Carrington has been at the center of controversy involving Fever players. During the 2024 campaign, where she was playing with the Connecticut Sun, Carrington mocked then-rookie Caitlin Clark for what she believed was flopping and later called Fever supporters “the nastiest fans in the W” after receiving racist abuse from online users.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Then, Carrington struck Clark in the eye while defending a pass during the 2024 WNBA playoffs, leading to the latter having a black eye. Both players said that the contact was accidental, though Carrington drew some renewed criticism after she appeared to joke about the controversy during an Instagram Live video.
Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington commits a flagrant 2 foul against Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham. (Kamil Krzaczynski/Imagn Images)
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Beyond basketball, she has drawn attention for wearing an explicit anti-President Donald Trump sweatshirt and urging WNBA players to oppose Trump administration policies affecting women and the LGBTQ community.
Carrington is in her sixth WNBA season, her first with the Sky, where she is averaging 9.8 points and 2.2 rebounds across her five games in a depth role for Chicago.
Fox News’ Jackson Thompson and Matthew Reigle contributed to this report.
