Chennedy Carter's Flagrant Fouls Reignite Controversy

Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter is back in the spotlight after committing her fourth flagrant foul of the WNBA season, this time against former teammate Marina Mabrey.

Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter has once again found herself at the center of controversy after committing a flagrant foul in a game against the Connecticut Sun on Friday.

In the first quarter of the game, Carter was called for a flagrant-1 foul after making contact with Mabrey, her former teammate. Carter was playing defense in the post when Mabrey spun into her. Carter then hit Marbery on the arm and also appeared to smack her in the face in an apparent effort to block the shot.

Chennedy Carter's Flagrant Fouls Reignite Controversy

Mabrey remained on the floor with her hands over her face for several moments after the play. The training staff attended to Mabrey as she was in visible pain and laid on her back on the court. Referees reviewed the play and upgraded the foul to a flagrant-1.

The foul was Carter's fourth flagrant of the season, which has raised questions about her aggressive play style. Earlier this season, Carter was assessed a flagrant-1 for a hard foul on Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark.

Chennedy Carter's Flagrant Fouls Reignite Controversy

Mabrey appeared to be unhappy with her situation in Chicago at some point this season, and the franchise granted her trade request in July. Earlier in the day, a social media video appeared to show many of Mabery's former teammates giving her the cold shoulder during a pregame shootaround.

Some observers suggested that the awkward exchange pointed to an underlying beef, particularly between Carter and Mabrey. Mabrey also seemed to take a jab at her former team in July, which possibly added to the intensity heading into Friday's game.

Chennedy Carter's Flagrant Fouls Reignite Controversy

"I'm excited to be on a championship team or someone that can compete for a championship. That's gonna be something I'm not used to. I've never been in an environment like that, so I'm excited," Mabrey told a reporter during WNBA All-Star weekend last month.

The Sun went on to defeat the Sky on Friday, and Chicago has now dropped three of their four games since returning from the WNBA's break for the Paris Olympics.

Carter's flagrant fouls have become a major talking point in the WNBA, and it remains to be seen whether she will be able to tone down her aggression without sacrificing her effectiveness on the court.