Caitlin Clark, heralded as the most popular women’s basketball player globally, entered the professional ranks as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft.
Her record as the all-time leading scorer in NCAA history and her dynamic play have made her a central figure in discussions about women’s basketball. However, Clark will not be participating in the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Recently left off the 12-player Team USA roster for the Olympics in Paris, France, Clark’s exclusion has ignited a flurry of online discussion and criticism of the decision.
A report by Christine Brennan from USA Today sheds light on some of the reasons behind her absence. According to Brennan, there were concerns among some veteran players and possibly a coach about Clark’s presence on the team. The primary issue seems to be Clark’s immense popularity and the potential distractions it could bring.
The concern is that Clark’s inclusion might shift focus away from the team’s collective goal of winning gold. With established veterans like A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, who typically lead the team’s offensive efforts, there was worry that Clark’s presence and potentially limited playing time would spark significant public and media drama.
RELATED: Former NFL Star Cam Newton Shares His Thoughts on Caitlin Clark Controversy
In May, Reeve, who serves as the President of Basketball Operations for the Minnesota Lynx, and now the Coach of Team USA, posted on X with a comment that subtly criticized Clark.
Thus, despite her impressive credentials and popularity, Clark was not selected, highlighting the complex dynamics within Team USA as they aim to focus solely on team success in Paris.
Is it possible that Reeve prefers not to have Caitlin’s level of attention on the team?
