HOUSTON — A Texas man who sent harassing online messages to basketball superstar Caitlin Clark has been sentenced to serve 2.5 years in prison.

Michael Lewis, 55, was arrested in January in Indianapolis, only one mile away from where Clark's team, the Indiana Fever, play their matches.

Authorities said that Lewis sent hundreds of threatening and sexually explicit messages to Clark over the course of a month. Clark told police she had to alter her appearance in public due to her fear of the threats.

Lewis denied to police that the posts were threatening, saying that he was writing them for "just the same reason everybody makes posts". He also told police that he had "an imaginary relationship" with Clark.

During a contentious court hearing on Monday, Lewis told the judge that he wanted Clark to "be safe", aimed to point out holes in her security and claimed he had "never threatened her, I've never thought about threatening her".

The judge in the case warned that his remarks could breach his plea bargain with prosecutors. Lewis had been facing up to six years in prison for harassment and stalking.

Lewis also went on to prophesise the end of the world, according to WTHR-TV.

"He is going to talk himself out of a plea," the judge said, interrupting him.

"You have to understand that as part of a plea deal, you are admitting responsibility."

Officials praised Clark for coming forward with her concerns about the posts.

"No matter how prominent a figure you are, this case shows that online harassment can quickly escalate to actual threats of physical violence," Prosecutor Ryan Mears said after sentencing on Monday.

"It takes a lot of courage for women to come forward in these cases, which is why many don't."

Lewis was ordered to have no contact with Clark, and not to use the internet during his prison term.

He was also ordered to stay away from all Fever games.

Clark, 23, was already a major celebrity athlete when she joined the WNBA last year. She was drafted as the first overall pick by the Fever and was later named rookie of the year.

Since joining the team, Clark has set multiple WNBA records, including assists in a single game and in a season. — BBC