Players in WNBA Finals tuning out President Trump, other outside noise, say their focus on the games
ATLANTA (AP) — Players in the WNBA Finals say they are concentrating on preparing for the upcoming game and not President Donald Trump’s criticism of them and others in the league for leaving the court prior to the national anthem being played.“I’m focused on the finals," Atlanta guard Allisha Gray said Friday at the Dream's practice ahead of Saturday's Game 4.
During the WNBA Finals, the players are focusing solely on their upcoming game and are ignoring President Donald Trump's criticisms, according to several players from the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Warriors. Allisha Gray, an Atlanta guard, stated that she is not paying attention to social media or the president's comments. She emphasized that basketball is currently a top priority for her.
Several of her teammates echoed her sentiment, stressing the importance of staying focused and unified with their team during this time. Kiah Stokes, a Valkyries forward, echoed this sentiment, explaining that they are staying together and concentrating on game preparation. President Trump recently criticized the WNBA players for leaving the court before the national anthem, claiming it would lead to a boycott of the league and urged fans not to watch the WNBA games.
He made these remarks at a rally in Iowa, where he also targeted NBA star LeBron James, who appeared to continue his warm-ups while the national anthem played during the Philadelphia 76ers' season opener. Trump's comments come at a time when the WNBA has been a part of many teams' pregame routines for years, often meant for raising awareness or continuing preparation.
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