Former Ohio State and current Connecticut Sun guard Jacy Sheldon was ejected after she was involved in a scuffle in the fourth quarter of her team’s 88-71 loss to the Indiana Fever on June 17.
The play that led to the incident involving Sheldon and Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham occurred in the final minute of the fourth quarter, when, after coming up with a steal, Sheldon was dribbling at full speed toward the Fever’s basket. Cunningham, the only Fever player back on defense on the play, grabbed Sheldon with two hands and pulled her to the ground. Sheldon immediately got back to her feet and attempted to shove Cunningham, but Cunningham responded by grabbing the back of Sheldon’s head before the two players were separated by their teammates.
In addition to Sheldon, Cunningham was also ejected for her involvement in the scuffle.
The incident was partially a product of tempers flaring earlier in the game when Sheldon seemed to inadvertently poke Fever star guard Caitlin Clark in the eye. After the foul, which was later upgraded to a flagrant 1 after a review, was called on Sheldon, Clark shoved Sheldon. Rushing onto the scene was Connecticut Sun guard Marina Mabrey, who knocked Clark to the ground with her own shove.
Clark and Mabrey were both issued technical fouls after the play.
Sheldon, who could be seen bickering with Clark throughout the June 17 contest, played for the Buckeyes from 2021-24 and earned All-American honors as a senior.
Sheldon was drafted in the first round of the 2024 WNBA draft by the Dallas Wings but was traded after the season to the Sun as part of a four-team deal.
Sheldon originally planned to spend her 2024 offseason with the Townsville Fire, a team in Australia’s professional women’s basketball league, but was unable to play for the Fire after she suffered a lower leg injury. With her winter free, Sheldon agreed to join Ohio State’s coaching staff as a Player Development Coach, a role that still allows her to play in the WNBA.
