Caitlin Clark will not be representing Team USA at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, despite the considerable discussion surrounding her exclusion from the roster.
Clark, the number one pick in the WNBA draft, has shown both promising talent and occasional struggles during her rookie season.
At just 22 years old, she will undoubtedly have more opportunities to compete in future Olympics. If the selection committee were to state that Clark isn’t currently ready to be only the second rookie ever to make the Olympic team, it could be seen as a reasonable judgment.
However, the controversy doesn’t appear to stem from her performance alone. Team USA head coach Cheryl Reeve has publicly expressed her reservations about the hype surrounding Clark, which surfaced during a contentious start to the WNBA season.
This, combined with the attitudes of some veteran players, seems to have influenced the decision.
Moreover, there are reports that Team USA was concerned about potential fan backlash over Clark’s potential limited playing time, fearing it could cause discontent among her extensive fan base. If true, this rationale for excluding her from the team is less than satisfactory.
RELATED: Jemele Hill Has Surprising Reaction to Caitlin Clark Being Left Off Olympic Team
A more forthright approach, focusing solely on performance and readiness, would have been preferable.
WNBA legend Lisa Leslie, a revered figure in basketball with four Olympic gold medals and numerous other accolades, has been vocal in her support for Clark. Leslie argues that Clark’s omission is a significant oversight, stating in April that Clark should definitely be part of the team traveling to France. She criticized the political maneuvers in sports selections, emphasizing that an athlete of Clark’s caliber deserves to represent the country on such a prestigious platform.
Despite Leslie’s influential backing and a clear fan desire to see Clark compete at the Olympics, the decision was made.
According to reports, it seems the exclusion was driven more by off-court politics than by Clark’s athletic prowess, making this decision particularly disappointing for many.
