"DO NOT DO THIS ON ANY LEVEL": WNBA brand manager makes her feelings clear on Kiyomi McMiller's media approach with alarming message

WNBA brand manager Subria Whitaker has worked alongside some of the top athletes in the nation and knows what to say and what not to. On Monday, she chimed in on Rutgers star Kiyomi McMiller's highly publicized social media post from Sunday.

Kiyomi McMiller is regarded as one of the elite young players in women's college basketball. The talented freshman, however, did not feature in Rutgers' loss against USC on Sunday, with her coach Coquese Washington deciding to leave her out of the lineup.

McMiller followed that up with a lengthy post on her Instagram story, apologizing to her fans and making it known that it was the coach's decision to sit her out. Whitaker has worked with WNBA players on their media strategies and was against the social media post. She made her feelings clear with a warning to players on her X account.

"Players -- DO NOT DO THIS. ON ANY LEVEL," wrote Whitaker.

McMiller was likely disappointed at missing out on one of the biggest games of the year. USC was the No. 4 ranked team coming into the game and boasted of several top players in college basketball, including projected WNBA first-round pick JuJu Watkins.

Whitaker did not agree with the manner in which McMiller addressed the situation. In a follow-up post, she added the following comment:

"So I understand if she’s upset and feels like she’s not in a position to get answers or resolve for a predetermined DNP. It’s possible [social] media was the answer—just not this way/these words."

Kiyomi McMiller has put together some dazzling performances this season and is expected to develop into a special talent with a bright future. The rising star is averaging 19.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game over her first 14 games as a freshman.

Subria Whitaker calls out NBA players after controversial podcast comments surrounding Angel Reese and WNBA players

WNBA brand manager Subria Whitaker, WNBA logo from a court in Los Angeles. Photo Credits: Subria Whitaker's X account, Imagn

Subria Whitaker has covered the Chicago Sky and has close relationships with several of the league's players. After Charleston White made a series of controversial comments on Jeff Teague's "Club 520 Podcast" in late December about Angel Reese and WNBA players, Whitaker did not hold back.

White said that WNBA players should "dunk in some panties" to bring in fans, leading to backlash from many members of the sports media community. Whitaker took to X shortly after the comments and called out the "NBA allies" for not speaking up against the remarks.

"Where are the so called NBA allies??? To hold their own peers accountable for the disgusting things they keep saying about the W? Cuz I know they see it. We not giving passes around here no more. Pull up and put up, or shut up," said Whitaker

Whitaker voiced the sentiments of many WNBA fans and even those who don't follow the league closely. Whether her words will have an impact remains to be seen.