"Refs Have to Let The Girls Show Emotion" - Caitlin Clark Blasts Referees as Iowa Star Hit With Tech for Fiery Outburst After Blocking Shot

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark couldn't believe the referees for the Iowa-Fairfield game on Sunday at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Clark remains a follower of her alma mater, showing her emotions on social media after Taylor Stremlow was called for a technical foul.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Clark shared her reaction to the referees giving Stremlow a technical foul for showing emotion. The Hawkeye legend, who is known for the same emotion on the court, was baffled that officials couldn't give the girls leeway in this kind of situation.

"No way they just gave Stremlow a tech for that. Refs have to let the girls show emotion," Clark tweeted.

For those wondering what happened, Taylor Stremlow was defending Janelle Brown on the block with less than four minutes left in the first half. Brown went for the show, and Stremlow blocked it.

Ava Heiden recovered the loose ball and was about to start the fastbreak, but the referees blew the whistle. Stremlow was called for a technical foul after shouting and flexing at Brown.

Here's the video of the play:

To be fair to both perspectives, Caitlin Clark does have a point in letting the players show emotion because it helps the crowd get into the game. That's one of the advantages of having homecourt.

On the other hand, referees are walking the line since the emotions shown could lead to something later, and they are just trying to control the situation. It's a tough job for the officials, with some fans saying that Fairfield was getting physical earlier in the game.

Team USA gets called out for another Caitlin Clark snub

Caitlin Clark is set to return to the court on Dec. 12, when Team USA's training camp in preparation for the 2026 Women's World Cup begins. Clark was one of 18 players called up to participate in the three-day camp in Durham, North Carolina.

However, Team USA was called out by longtime sports journalist Christine Brennan for snubbing Clark in the promotional announcement of the preliminary roster. Brennan argued that if Team USA wants women's basketball to continue growing, they would put the biggest star of the sport front and center.

Other young stars called up for the training camp include Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson, Kiki Iriafen, Sonia Citron and Aliyah Boston. Even college stars JuJu Watkins and Lauren Betts were also part of the roster.

Edited by Juan Paolo David