AA According to a source, Caitlin Clark won't make it onto the Team USA roster for the Paris Olympics.
AA Caitlin Clark, the WNBA's rookie standout and collegiate scoring record holder, is reportedly going to miss out on joining the U.S. national team for the Paris Olympics, as per a source familiar with the decision, revealed to NBC News on Saturday.
AA Although the official announcement of Team USA’s roster is pending, the insider disclosed that the team heading to the international stage will consist of 12 seasoned players, including renowned WNBA talents like Brittney Griner, A’ja Wilson, and Breanna Stewart, according to NBC News.
AA "We have not made any official announcement yet," stated a spokesperson for Team USA.
AA The news of Clark's exclusion was initially reported by The Athletic.
AA Clark recently showcased her prowess with a stellar performance, scoring 30 points and sinking seven 3-pointers in the Indiana Fever’s victory over the Washington Mystics on Friday.
AA Despite being named the WNBA’s rookie of the month for May, her transition to the professional league has had its challenges.
AA Her three-point shooting has been erratic, with a 32.7% success rate compared to the league average of 32.6%.
AA She has also struggled with turnovers, averaging over five per game, totaling 67 giveaways, the highest in the league.
AA Thus, her absence from the Team USA roster, which aims for an eighth consecutive gold medal, can be justified from a performance standpoint.
AA However, by leaving Clark behind, USA Basketball is missing an opportunity to elevate the competition's excitement.
AA Clark's presence in the WNBA has revitalized interest in the league, attracting larger crowds and boosting television viewership.
A A Teams have moved to bigger arenas when facing Indiana to accommodate the surge in fans eager to witness her play.
AA Furthermore, this season has seen teams utilizing charter flights, a long-desired perk for players, highlighting the significant growth in women's basketball.
AA Clark, the WNBA’s top draft pick in April, had a stellar collegiate career at the University of Iowa, amassing a record 3,951 points over four years.
AA As a two-time national player of the year, she led the Hawkeyes to consecutive NCAA championship games.
AA Previous Olympic squads have included rookies. For instance, the 2016 team that competed in Rio featured Stewart, then a newcomer with the Seattle Storm after a decorated stint at the University of Connecticut. Similarly, the 2008 team in Beijing included first-year WNBA players Candace Parker and Sylvia Fowles.
AA While Clark’s fans may be disappointed by her exclusion, she's not the only top WNBA player missing from the Olympic roster.
A A The anticipated lineup comprises Wilson, Stewart, Griner, Taurasi, Thomas, Collier, Loyd, Plum, Young, Ionescu, Gray, and Copper, according to the NBC News source.
AA Notably absent from the roster are Arike Ogunbowale of the Dallas Wings, who ranks second in league scoring, and Dearica Hamby of the Los Angeles Sparks, the WNBA's fifth-highest scorer.
AA If Clark doesn’t make the Paris Olympics, she'll have another chance in 2028 when she'll be 26, potentially in Los Angeles.
A A Team USA's first match in the upcoming Olympics is scheduled for July 29 against Japan, with tipoff at 3 p.m. ET in Lille, France.
0 Comments