Caitlin Clark will not be joining the USA national team at the Olympics when the games kick off next month, according to multiple reports.
Shortly after the Indiana Fever rookie posted her best game in her young career, USA Today’s Christine Brennan reported team USA will not be adding Clark to the roster ahead of the Paris games.
Per Brennan:
Two other sources, both long-time U.S. basketball veterans with decades of experience in the women’s game, told USA TODAY Sports Friday that concern over how Clark’s millions of fans would react to what would likely be limited playing time on a stacked roster was a factor in the decision making. If true, that would be an extraordinary admission of the tension that this multi-million-dollar sensation, who signs autographs for dozens of children before and after every game, has caused for the old guard of women’s basketball. The two people spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.
Notably, Clark missed training camp for the team while her Iowa Hawkeyes squad was taking part in the Final Four. However college players have a history of joining stacked rosters for the Olympics, including Christian Laettner, Diana Taurasi and Breanna Stewart.
Still, framing the decision in part as one to avoid upsetting Clark’s fans over her playing time seems to forget that her fans will be just as upset over her omission in general.
That led to plenty of debate over whether or not Clark was actually snubbed.
MORE: 14 women’s hoops stars fighting for a Paris Olympics spot on the Team USA roster, including 1 surprise
Sources: Team USA women’s basketball roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics – no Caitlin Clark:
A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Alyssa Thomas, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Sabrina Ionescu, Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper https://t.co/m3TWncAZY3
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 8, 2024
One last thing: When I asked Cheryl Reeve at USOPC Summit about Clark, she said, “I’ve never been in the trenches with her.” Not even at a USA Basketball camp
Asking a coach to integrate someone she has no history with, at tournament with highest stakes, is a lot. A lot a lot.
— Nancy Armour (@nrarmour) June 8, 2024
Arike Ogunbowale averaging 26.6 PPG and didn’t make the Olympic roster. Her numbers (and experience) far exceed Caitlin Clark.
This isn’t about singling out CC. The US Olympic squad has always been tough to make. Too many great players. pic.twitter.com/0yqeYXm73m
— Master (@MasterTes) June 8, 2024
Here’s all I’m gonna say about Caitlin Clark not making the Olympic team:
Experience and qualifications aside, she’s been playing ball nonstop since November…let that girl have a break please.
— Bryan Narcisse aka B Nice 🧃 (@bnice21) June 8, 2024
Caitlin Clark should be on the roster. Idk about playing a lot, but on the team, no question
— Harp (@ArlonHarper) June 8, 2024
it’s ok that Caitlin Clark isn’t on the Olympic team. really, it’s not a big deal. they chose to reward players who have done well as professionals. if she made the team, she’d ride the bench. don’t need to see her launching logo 3’s up 40 in garbage time.
still gonna win gold.
— Broken White Sox Fan (@ChiefsFanGolfer) June 8, 2024
I’m sorry. There isn’t ONE person on that Olympic roster that Caitlin Clark would’ve beat out. The women are that roster are seasoned. CC will get there the next time around. It’s okay for her to sit this one out, yall.
— Destiny Starks, M.A. (@DesStarks_) June 8, 2024
Anyone who thinks CC should’ve made it over any of the guards on this team is telling on themselves. https://t.co/J6bAEZa8DL
— James Lipscomb, MBA (@Jimmy2Lips) June 8, 2024
Caitlin Clark does not have to get everything, immediately, all at once. It’s OK for her to go through the same journey as all of the talented players before her. Name the last time you watched a documentary about a great athlete that said after one year, they had it all. Relax.
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) June 8, 2024
Continually impressed by the ever more potent ways in which Caitlin Clark, through zero fault of her own, makes people crazy https://t.co/zeQY4aRiSF
— Eamonn Brennan (@eamonnbrennan) June 8, 2024
Here’s the thing: She wasn’t snubbed from what has been the single most dominant entity in all of Team USA for three decades. They just don’t need her right now, and that’s okay.
— Jason Clinkscales (@asportsscribe) June 8, 2024
