WNBA Analyst Issues Apology After Caitlin Clark Stat Error: ‘I Am Not Racist

Aug 28, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) celebrates a made basket in the first half against the Connecticut Sun at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

WNBA analyst Zena Keita had falsely claimed that Olivia Miles broke Caitlin Clark’s rookie assist record, and the CC fans weren’t happy. She later had to publicly set the record straight after her earlier comments sparked a wave of criticism.

Clark broke several rookie records with the Indiana Fever when she joined the WNBA in 2024. On top of being the rookie with the most points (769), she was also the first-year player with the most assists (337).

Miles, who has a slightly longer season than the Fever guard, is expected to surpass her rookie season record. However, it is unlikely for her to break Clark’s assist record. Oddly enough, Keita falsely claimed that the Minnesota Lynx guard had already broken the WNBA rookie assist record on an episode of The Athletic ‘s No Offseason podcast.

“Olivia Miles has also made her mark this season, setting the all-time WNBA rookie assist record, and she’s been doing it with a flash,” Keita said of the Lynx rookie’s incredible season.

A number of Clark fans pointed out Keita’s factual inaccuracy. They accused her of attempting to minimize Clark’s achievements while ignoring her. Several others attacked the WNBA analyst, accusing her of being a Clark hater and using yet another outdated viewpoint to back up her claims.

One X (formerly Twitter) user asked, “Who does facts checks for all these folks? Like this is so absurd and terrible journalism(if you can even call this journalism).”

During a June segment of the same podcast, Keita seemed to suggest that Clark come off the bench for the Fever.

Citing Keita’s earlier comment, another user wrote, “I’m crying that’s the same lady who said Caitlin is not the birthday and needs to be benched for Raven nvm makes sense.”

Criticizing production quality control at The Athletic , one user commented, “This not even miles hate but where is the quality control man what production doing 😭😭😭😭.”

With five games remaining in the season and Miles behind by 109 assists, this was an incorrect and negligent statement made by an analyst who has since addressed the matter.

Addressing the backlash, Keita wrote via X, “Me having to log back into X to say…this was a simple misspeak. The stat was that she broke the LYNX rookie single assist record, not WNBA. I had done 2 podcasts before this one & simply misspoke. I am not racist, and I don’t hate CC. You can think whatever else past that, idc.”

Criticizing Keita’s apology, one user replied, “Little too sloppy. I’ve never heard of you but I’ve heard of ‘The Athletic.’ This misspeak claim doesn’t hold up because you rattled off two all time great assist leaders who both never played for the Lynx. Ya’ll should just be thankful CC brought ya’ll all this new attention.”

In a separate apology on X, Keita added, “And for what it is worth, I AM genuinely sorry for unintentionally sharing a bad stat. My producers and I should have caught that before posting and will do better moving forward.”

And for what it is worth, I AM genuinely sorry for unintentionally sharing a bad stat. My producers and I should have caught that before posting and will do better moving forward.

My “idc” is directed at those attacking my character, my abilities and my value in this space. https://t.co/O6NHiMvkV0

— Zena Keita (@itszenakeita) August 30, 2026

Further clarifying her “idc” comment, Keita said that it was “directed at those attacking my character, my abilities and my value in this space.”

A “community note” has now been added to Keita’s clapback at angry CC fans on Sunday night.

Miles, the second overall pick in 2026, presently owns the Lynx’s record for the most rookie assists in a season, not the WNBA record. Guard Noelle Quinn, who tallied 148 assists in 34 games during her first season with the Lynx in 2007, previously owned the franchise record.

With 228 assists over 37 WNBA games, Miles is now 109 behind Clark’s outstanding rookie-year total of 337 assists over 40 games from 2024.

This season, however, Miles broke a record that Clark had held: the WNBA rookie single-game 3-point record. On June 4, 2026, Miles surpassed Clark’s prior record with eight threes.

As a rookie, Clark scored the most points of any WNBA player – 769. On the other hand, in her rookie season, Miles is averaging close to 20 points per game.

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Yahoo Sports. Open at source →