WNBA Coach James Wade Files Complaint After He Says A Ref Called Him ‘Boy’ During Game

African-American coach James Wade of the Chicago Sky is having a complaint filed to the WNBA after he says that a ref called him “boy” during a 90-83 loss to the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday night.

“I’m a grown man,” said Wade to Chicago Tribune’s Shannon Ryan. “I have a family and I have a responsibility. I have a team and I have a responsibility. So when someone tells one of your players, ‘Explain to your boy,’ yeah, I take that personal.

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“But that’s what I’ve been dealing with. That’s how people see me. Don’t feel sorry for me. I’m fine.”

The Chicago Sky filed a complaint with the WNBA after coach James Wade said an official referred to him as "boy."

"I’m a grown man. So when someone tells one of your players, "Explain to your boy," yeah, I take that personal."

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— Chicago Tribune Sports (@ChicagoSports) May 26, 2021

While Wade did not specify which ref made this comment, a team spokesperson said that several of the players confirmed that the term was used by an official at one point during the game.

James Wade said that his team had been victims of brutal officiating all night long, which made it hard to play the style of basketball they normally like to play.