Once considered one of the most promising guards in the WNBA, Chennedy Carter is taking her talents to Mexico. The 26-year-old has signed with Adelitas de Chihuahua in the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional Femenil, after what many believe is a quiet blackballing by the WNBA, stemming from her now-infamous run-in with rookie phenom Caitlin Clark.
Carter’s 2024 season stats speak for themselves. She posted 17.5 points per game for the Chicago Sky on an efficient 45 percent shooting. Prior to that, she was crowned Player of the Year in China after averaging a staggering 32 points per game and leading the league in steals. Still, despite her resume, no WNBA team came calling this offseason.
A hit that changed everything
The turning point came during a heated matchup last season when Carter violently checked Clark to the floor, earning widespread backlash, and cheers from teammate Angel Reese. Though the play wasn’t called a flagrant foul, it drew national attention and became one of the most polarizing moments of the year.
Following the incident, Carter doubled down rather than apologize. She responded to critics online and even mocked Clark’s boyfriend, telling him to “grow a pair.” That reaction, combined with a past suspension from the Atlanta Dream in 2021 for “conduct detrimental to the team,” may have sealed her fate in the league.
No contract, no regrets
The decision to move to Mexico appears to be less about opportunity and more about exclusion. Carter’s talent is undeniable, her ability to create offense, pressure on defense, and lead in scoring is rare. But off-court controversies and her unapologetic demeanor may have made her persona non grata in a league increasingly focused on image and marketability.
With Adelitas de Chihuahua, Carter will have a chance to reset her narrative. She joins a growing list of American players finding opportunities abroad when doors close at home.
Whether the WNBA will eventually reconsider remains unclear. But one thing’s for sure: Chennedy Carter isn’t done playing basketball, she’s just doing it her way, miles away from the league that turned its back on her.
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