Tennessee basketball player Tamari Key responds to criticism about her appearance on social media

Some Tennessee women's basketball fans took to social media to criticize Tamari Key's appearance after the team's recent losses.

Key posted a screenshot of a post full of digs at the eyelash extensions and nails the senior center is known for wearing.

"We've got too many girls that would rather be wearing 3 inch fake nails and eyelashes that are the same length," the nameless fan wrote. "Tamari Key looks like she's worried more about her lashes & nails then actually being the go to post."

Key's post included photos of her from media day, an illustration of a Black woman with her eyelashes, hair and nails done and a screenshot of a tweet talking about her triple-double against Texas last season.

Her message was simple: "black girl magic."

Key's lashes and nails are nothing new. She always had both done for games last season when she averaged 10.5 points and 8.1 rebounds. Key also set the program record for career blocks at 277 after her junior season, surpassing the 275 record set by Candace Parker from 2005-08.

Tennessee teammates reposted Key's Instagram post in support on their stories. Rickea Jackson posted, "Keep being YOU!" with the screenshot of the message, which continued on to bring the late Tennessee coach Pat Summitt into the conversation.

"Lady Vols look to cute to play ball, need to remove all the eye lashes so they can see to shoot the ball. Pat would not let this be happening," the post said. "I'm wondering what Coach Summitt would think about the long fake eyelashes."

Jordan Horston said, "Your black is beautiful and inspiring keep bein you. Keep dat same energy ... we gon be good and cute dis way PURR."

Sara Puckett reposted with the message, "a beauty inside and out, love you tk."

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee player Tamari Key responds to criticism about her appearance