Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas and Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides both commented Wednesday on the abuse WNBA players have recently endured

Alyssa Thomas knows the WNBA has grown this year, but the Connecticut Sun All-Star forward doesn’t want fans who are disrespectful to the players.

All season long, there have been numerous instances of people claiming to be supporters of the WNBA harassing fans and even players. This behavior has permeated hoops circles and oozed out of social media into real life. The abuse has turned into racism, bigotry and things well beyond basketball.