Caitlin Clark was reportedly left out of Team USA’s roster for the upcoming Paris Olympics, drawing passionate reactions from those who disagreed and agreed with the decision.
Clark, whose burgeoning tenure as a budding WNBA star has served as a lightning rod for the slightest controversy, addressed the decision Sunday. As usual, she chose to stay above the fray. Clark spoke to reporters at the Indiana Fever practice Sunday afternoon and was immediately asked about her reaction to not being on the roster.
When it comes to not making the Olympic team, Caitlin Clark has nothing but praise for the twelve who did make it: “It’s the hardest team to make.”
Clamp: pic.twitter.com/LX59YA5Bzf
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) June 9, 2024
“I’m excited for the girls that are on the team,” she said. “I know this is the most competitive team in the world, and I knew it could have gone either way if I was on the team, and not on the team. I’m excited for them. I’m going to root for them to to win gold.”
She was then asked about her “level of disappointment” at being left out of the selection.
“Honestly not a disappointment,” Clark said. “I think it just gives you something to work for. It’s a dream. Hopefully one day I can be there. I think it’s just a little bit more motivation. Remember that, and hopefully in four years, when there When I’m four years old again, I’ll be there.”
Clark added that she appreciated a call from USA Basketball officials informing her of the decision and will make the most of the time off this summer after a whirlwind transition from Iowa to the WNBA. Clark and fellow top-3 pick Kamilla Cardoso made their WNBA debuts just weeks after facing off in the NCAA championship game that South Carolina won over Iowa.
The U.S. Olympic roster will reportedly include WNBA veterans Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Alyssa Thomas, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young and Sabrina Ionescu. Not a single rookie made the cut.
Fever coach: ‘They have woken up a monster’
Clark’s coach Christie Sides said she was “a little disappointed” that Clark didn’t make the team. She also said Clark told her she was using perceived disapproval as motivation.
Christie Sides on Caitlin Clark Not Making the Olympic Team:
Clark told Sides, “Hey coach, they woke up a monster” when telling her she didn’t make it. pic.twitter.com/02UwvuEiVj
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) June 9, 2024
“We talked on the bus, she got a call on the bus,” Sides said. “She texted me to let me know. I was just trying to keep my spirits up. What she said was, ‘Hey coach, they woke up a monster,’ which I thought was great.”
Clark, an Iowa sensation who finished her college career as a two-time national finalist and the NCAA’s all-time scoring leader, shows her positive side alongside her fellow famous rookies. She is also experiencing the expected growing pains, especially in the shooting and turnover columns.
Through 12 games of her WNBA career, Clark averaged 16.8 points, 6.3 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 5.6 turnovers per game while shooting 37.3% from the floor and 32, Shot 7% from 3 point range. The Fever – who won the lottery to select Clark after posting the third-worst record in the league last season – are off to a 3-9 start.
