Dearica Hamby, a Los Angeles Sparks forward, has received support from the WNBA after a person accused of sending her a racist text message was identified, fired, and permanently banned from attending WNBA events.The incident started on August 24, when Hamby posted a screenshot on X of a distressing message she said she received from an unknown number. The message used a racist slur, referred to Hamby as an animal, and included a monkey emoji.Hamby posted the screenshot and asked her followers:"Anyone know this number?"The post immediately gained attention, with social media users identifying the person associated with the phone number and connecting him to Acclaro Medical, a Rhode Island-based medical equipment company.What happened to the person who allegedly sent Dearica Hamby the text?Acclaro Medical first suspended the employee while it investigated the incident. The organization stated that it "condemns racism, harassment, hate speech, and discriminatory behavior in all forms," and that the remarks did not reflect its principles or standards. Acclaro released a statement through USA TODAY Sports:"Acclaro Medical is aware of the deeply disturbing situation on social media. Acclaro Medical sympathizes with everyone who has been affected by this situation. The Company takes this matter extremely seriously and is conducting a thorough investigation."Acclaro reported on September 1 that the employee was no longer with the organization, effectively ending his employment following the investigation.Within an hour of Dearica Hamby's post, social media users apparently reverse-searched the phone number and identified the individual. Multiple users then notified Acclaro Medical, leading the organization to investigate.It is still unclear how the person who sent the message obtained Dearica Hamby's personal phone number. The WNBA further stated that the individual would be permanently banned from all league games and events. On September 2, 2026, the WNBA released a statement:“The WNBA stands unequivocally with Dearica Hamby and condemns the racist abuse directed at her in the strongest possible terms. We are committed to holding anyone who engages in such abhorrent behavior accountable, and this individual will be permanently banned from all league games and events.”The Los Angeles Sparks criticized the incident and supported the WNBA's decision to permanently ban the individual.Dearica Hamby posted the screenshot about two days after she was ejected from the Sparks' August 22 game against the Connecticut Sun.The forward was ejected for an elbow to the face of Sun rookie Raegan Beers. The subsequent racist message occurred during a season in which WNBA players have become more vocal about the abuse they face after incidents on the court.It is still unknown why the sender decided to pick on Dearica Hamby or how he obtained her personal phone number.Other WNBA players face abuseThe incident that occurred with Dearica Hamby comes amid increased concern about racist and abusive messages thrown toward WNBA players.WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert and Women's National Basketball Players Association leaders met in July prior to the All-Star Game to examine the increase in hateful texts received by players. Several players came out publicly about racist and harassing messages, sparking the conversations.Chelsea Gray, a Las Vegas Aces guard, encountered a similar experience in July after posting a racist remark she received online. Hilton Grand Vacations fired the person responsible. They released a statement back then when the incident occurred:“The person responsible for posting this information is no longer with the company. His behavior was in violation of multiple company policies and does not reflect our company’s values in any way.”Gray hopes that "people will think twice now" before spreading hate. She said:"The hate directed at me and so many other Black athletes is one of the many ways systemic racism shows up in our lives. But as athletes, there is real power in calling it out and naming it, and we have a real opportunity to create change collectively when we do so."Another player who received abuse and racial slurs was Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas. The forward received all the abuse and hate after she was suspended for "recklessly" making contact with Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark's throat. Speaking about the incident, she said:"I think the biggest thing is it's just about our safety. We're so concerned about the safety on the court, but time and time again, we're having people threatening our lives. At some point the league needs to (take) a stand on it. … I'm sick and tired of it, and it's time for (the league) to step up and have our backs."Dearica Hamby's case becomes the second recent instance in which a person lost their job after sending a racist message to a WNBA player.Stay tuned to Soap Central for more information.