Indiana Fever standout Caitlin Clark dismissed the idea that she was upset about not being included on Team USA’s roster for the 2024 Olympic Games.
“There’s honestly no disappointment,” she mentioned during a Sunday practice, according to Chloe Peterson from The Indianapolis Star. “It’s something to strive for. It’s a dream, and hopefully, I’ll achieve it one day.
“It adds a bit more motivation. It’s something to keep in mind, and I hope to make the team when the opportunity comes around again in four years.”
While USA Basketball has not officially released its women’s roster for the Paris Games, weekend reports indicated a 12-player team comprised of several WNBA veterans and past Olympic champions, excluding the former Iowa standout. Clark’s omission has ignited considerable discussion on social media, though she had not publicly addressed the issue until Sunday.
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Earlier this year, the 22-year-old was invited to a USA Basketball minicamp during her time at Iowa but could not participate due to the Hawkeyes’ extended NCAA Tournament run. Clark expressed willingness to join as an injury replacement if asked.
“That would be a great opportunity,” she stated. “There are a lot of ifs, but right now, my main focus is on the Fever. I maintain a great relationship with USA Basketball, but the selected 12 are outstanding players.
“They’re in good hands. Cheryl (Reeves) is an excellent coach, and the selection committee did a thorough job. So, I’m just focusing on the Fever and how we can improve.”
As the first overall pick in 2024, Clark is averaging 16.8 points per game in her rookie season, including a 30-point performance against the Washington Mystics on Friday, where she made seven three-pointers, a personal best for the season.
