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Despite struggling through the first month of her WNBA season, Caitlin Clark remained confident that she would be chosen for Team USA’s roster for the Paris Olympics. In an interview with Time, where she was named the 2024 Athlete of the Year on Tuesday, Clark discussed the national team snub for the first time.
Clark, who made a name for herself as a rookie in the WNBA last season, found out about USA Basketball’s decision after the Indiana Fever improved their record to 3-9. Reflecting on her performance during that period, Clark admitted, “I gave them a lot of reasons to keep me off the team with my play.” Despite averaging 16.8 points and 6.3 assists per game, she struggled with shooting efficiency and turnovers.
The selection committee prioritized veteran players with extensive international experience, leading to the exclusion of players like Clark. Understandably, she acknowledged the difficulty in replacing established players such as Diana Taurasi and Candace Parker. She was also against being added to the team solely for the sake of increasing viewership.
However, Clark’s impressive college career at Iowa, combined with her strong WNBA performance, made her believe she still had a chance at making the roster. Her high level of play was evident in her game against the Washington Mystics, where she recorded impressive stats and hoped to sway the committee in her favor.
Despite her efforts, Clark was not selected for the team due to the committee’s preference for veteran players. While disappointed, she acknowledged that her celebrity status alone should not have guaranteed her a spot.
Although she missed the opportunity to compete for a gold medal, Clark’s rookie season saw significant improvements after the Olympic break, leading her team to their first playoff berth in eight seasons. While playing in the Olympics remains a top priority for Clark, she now aims to make the team in 2028.
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(Photo of Caitlin Clark: Ron Hoskins / NBAE via Getty Images)
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