Caitlin Clark forced to change appearance in public after threats from alleged stalker

A 55-year-old man has been arrested and charged with stalking and sending threatening messages to basketball star Caitlin Clark.

Michael Lewis, of Denton, Texas, was arrested at a hotel in Indianapolis, where Clark plays for the Indiana Fever. He is due to appear in court on Tuesday and could face up to six years in prison if found guilty of stalking.

Indianapolis police first spoke to Lewis last week when he allegedly sent threatening messages to Clark on X. According to court documents, one message read: “I’ve been driving by your house 3x a day. But don’t call the law yet.” Other messages contained elements of sexual violence, according to the documents.

Clark told Indianapolis police that the messages had made her fear for her safety and caused her to change her appearance in public. Police traced Lewis to a hotel in Indianapolis, where he said he had an “imaginary relationship” with Clark and had come to town on vacation.

Police said Lewis continued to text Clark after they warned him about his behavior.

“It takes a lot of courage for women to come forward in these cases, and that’s why many don’t,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said. “In doing so, the victim sets an example for all women who deserve to live and work in Indy without the threat of sexual violence.”

The 22-year-old Clark was the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft last year after a stellar college career at Iowa. Her elite skills and rivalry with Angel Reese have made her one of the most prominent sports stars in the US. In her first season as a professional, she was named rookie of the year, broke the league record in assists and signed a $28 million sponsorship deal with Nike.