Caitlin Clark, the recent WNBA draftee whose name has quickly become synonymous with the spotlight, was not selected for Team USA’s roster for the upcoming Paris Olympics, sparking varied reactions from the basketball community. Addressing the media from an Indiana Fever practice, Clark displayed her characteristic poise when discussing the omission.
“I’m excited for the girls that are on the team,” Clark shared with reporters. “I know it’s the most competitive team in the world, and I knew it could’ve gone either way of me being on the team, me not being on the team. I’m excited for them. I’m going to be rooting them on to win gold”, via ESPN.
Despite the potential for disappointment, Clark’s response was anything but. “Honestly, no disappointment,” she affirmed. “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 more motivation. You remember that, and hopefully, in four years when four years comes back around, I can be there”, reported CBS News.
The exclusion from the Olympic team is seen not just as a setback but as an impetus for greater achievements. “Hey, coach, they woke a monster,” Clark reportedly texted her coach, Christie Sides, upon learning of her non-selection—a statement Sides relayed with a mix of pride and mild disappointment that her player was overlooked.
Clark’s transition from college basketball at Iowa, where she was a two-time national finalist and the NCAA’s all-time scoring leader, to the professional ranks, has not been without its challenges. Despite her early struggles in the WNBA, which include adjusting to the intensity of professional play and balancing her scoring with maintaining control of the ball, her performance has been commendable. In her first 12 games, Clark averaged 16.8 points, 6.3 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals, although she has grappled with a higher-than-desired turnover rate.
Her journey reflects the arduous path of a rookie in the WNBA, especially one as scrutinized as Clark. Yet, with her unyielding spirit and the support of her coach and team, she continues to show promising signs of the player she can become.
Clark’s resilience and forward-looking attitude exemplify her readiness to use this experience as a stepping stone. As the Fever continues its season, all eyes will surely remain on Clark, watching her grow, improve, and perhaps prove that this Olympic snub is merely a precursor to greater successes.
When it comes to not making the Olympic team, Caitlin Clark has nothing but praise for the 12 who made it: “it’s the toughest team to make.”
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) June 9, 2024
Clip: pic.twitter.com/LX59YA5Bzf
Christie Sides on Caitlin Clark not making the Olympic team:
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) June 9, 2024
Clark told Sides “hey coach, they woke a monster” when telling her she didn’t make it. pic.twitter.com/02UwvuEiVj