Rachel DeMita is no stranger to controversy, but her latest remarks about Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark may have ignited one of her biggest online firestorms yet. The former college basketball player and media personality is being blasted across social media after delivering what many fans are calling a “tone-deaf” and “ironic” critique of Clark — prompting a wave of backlash that shows no signs of slowing down.

It all started when DeMita, in a recent interview, questioned the intense media attention and fan obsession surrounding Caitlin Clark. She suggested that much of the conversation about Clark is exaggerated, implying that the rookie guard’s impact might be overstated. DeMita’s tone quickly rubbed fans the wrong way, with many accusing her of dismissing the work Clark has done to elevate the WNBA’s visibility and growth.

“She’s a good player, but people need to stop acting like she’s reinvented the sport,” DeMita reportedly said. “The hype is bigger than the reality, and that says more about the fans than about her.”

The reaction was swift — and brutal. Within hours, fans flooded social media platforms, calling DeMita “dumb,” “clueless,” and even labeling her a “grifter” who builds her brand by taking shots at bigger names. Critics pointed out what they saw as a glaring hypocrisy: DeMita herself rose to prominence by leveraging her basketball background into media opportunities and social relevance, yet now she was accusing Clark’s supporters of overhyping a player who has objectively transformed the league’s visibility.

“Rachel DeMita made a career out of basketball commentary and now calls other people out for talking about basketball,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “The irony is off the charts.”

Another fan echoed the sentiment: “Calling Caitlin Clark ‘overhyped’ is wild when she’s the main reason people who never watched the WNBA are tuning in. Rachel sounds bitter more than anything.”

The term “grifter” — used by fans to describe DeMita — quickly trended alongside Clark’s name. Many accused her of using controversial opinions as a way to generate clicks and attention, especially by targeting one of the league’s most polarizing and talked-about figures. Some even argued that DeMita’s criticism only underscored Clark’s cultural impact, proving just how deeply the rookie’s presence resonates — even among her detractors.

“People don’t throw shade at players who don’t matter,” one fan commented. “The fact that Rachel felt the need to go after Caitlin shows how much space Clark occupies in the conversation right now.”

DeMita’s comments come at a time when Clark continues to dominate the headlines, both for her on-court performances and for the debates she has sparked about the future of the WNBA. As the league experiences unprecedented growth in attendance, TV ratings, and social media engagement, much of that momentum is widely attributed to Clark’s arrival and star power.

Yet the surge in popularity has also brought its share of criticism — from media narratives about how Clark is covered compared to her peers, to debates over whether her rise has overshadowed other deserving players. DeMita’s comments tap into that broader conversation, but fans argue that dismissing Clark’s significance outright is shortsighted and disingenuous.

“Clark isn’t just a player — she’s a phenomenon,” wrote one analyst. “The numbers speak for themselves. Attendance is up. Ratings are up. Merch sales are through the roof. And a lot of that is because of the spotlight she brings. That’s not hype — that’s reality.”

For now, DeMita hasn’t backed down or clarified her remarks, despite the avalanche of criticism. Whether her comments were meant as a nuanced critique of media narratives or a deliberate attempt to stir controversy, the result is the same: she’s become the center of a viral storm, and Caitlin Clark’s name is once again dominating the sports conversation.

As one fan summed it up, “Rachel DeMita tried to tear Caitlin Clark down and ended up proving exactly why she’s so important to the game. The irony couldn’t be more perfect.”