• A Texas man, Michael Lewis, sentenced to 2.5 years for stalking WNBA star Caitlin Clark.
• Lewis sent hundreds of harassing messages over social media.
• Clark altered her public appearances due to fears sparked by the threats.
• The court mandated that Lewis cannot contact Clark or attend Fever events.
• Authorities emphasized the importance of Clark's courage in coming forward.

A Texas man, 55-year-old Michael Lewis, has been sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for stalking and harassing WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark. During a court hearing, Lewis pleaded guilty to one felony count of stalking and one misdemeanor count of harassment after sending numerous threatening and sexually explicit messages to Clark via social media, according to ABC News and BBC.

Lewis was arrested in January near Indianapolis, where Clark's team, the Indiana Fever, plays. Prosecutors reported that between December 12, 2024, and January 11, 2025, Lewis sent Clark hundreds of messages that instilled fear. Clark revealed to police that she had to change her appearance in public because of her fears stemming from the threats, according to Los Angeles Times and BBC.

During his arrest, Lewis claimed to have an "imaginary relationship" with Clark and insisted that his posts were not threatening but merely typical social media interaction. His behavior during his court appearance was erratic; at times, he prophesied apocalyptic events and struggled to follow legal proceedings, according to statements from the judge, Angela Dow Davis, and LA Times.

As part of the court's ruling, Lewis has been barred from making any contact with Clark and is prohibited from attending any events for the Indiana Fever or Pacers. He was also ordered to stay away from specific locations in Indianapolis. Additionally, Lewis must seek mental health treatment and has been denied internet access for the duration of his prison term, as reported by ABC News and LA Times.