Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby has received support after sharing a racist text message she said was sent to her personal phone following her ejection from Saturday’s game against the Connecticut Sun.
Hamby posted a screenshot of the message on X on Monday, August 24, asking her followers, “Anyone know this number?” The message contained an anti-Black racial slur, dehumanizing language and a monkey emoji.
The post quickly drew attention online, with social media users attempting to identify the person behind the phone number. According to reporting from Cydney Henderson of USA TODAY Sports, users subsequently alerted the alleged sender’s employer.
Rhode Island-based Acclaro Medical confirmed Tuesday that one of its employees had been suspended while an investigation is conducted.
“Acclaro Medical is aware of the deeply disturbing situation on social media,” the company said in a statement shared with USA TODAY Sports. The company also said it condemns racism, harassment, hate speech and discriminatory behavior and that the remarks do not reflect its values or standards.
The incident comes after Hamby was ejected from the Sparks’ August 22 matchup with Connecticut following a flagrant foul involving Sun forward Raegan Beers. Hamby caught Beers in the face with her arm during the fourth quarter.
Hamby’s experience is part of a larger and troubling pattern involving racist abuse and threats directed at WNBA players this season. Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray previously received racist abuse following a game, with the employee responsible ultimately losing his job. Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas has also spoken publicly about receiving death threats and racist abuse.
For Hamby, the situation also raises another serious concern: how someone obtained her personal phone number in the first place. USA TODAY Sports reported that it remains unclear how the sender acquired the number.
The incident serves as another reminder that the abuse WNBA players face can extend well beyond the court—and directly into their personal lives.
Reporting: Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY Sports.
