The official ceremonies and events have kicked off, and there’s a story here from Arike Ogunbowale, a Dallas Wings player, who recently went berserk against Team USA. This performance shed light on a topic that’s been simmering beneath the surface: the snubbing of Caitlin Clark from Team USA.
It’s no secret that some established WNBA players like Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, A’ja Wilson, and Team USA coach Cheryl Reeve have had public and private criticisms of Clark. This animosity, jealousy, and pettiness have seemingly influenced the decision to exclude Clark from the national team.
Arike Ogunbowale, who scored 34 points in the second half of a game between Team USA and Team WNBA, has spoken out about her own snubbing from the Olympic roster. Despite her stellar performances and stats, Ogunbowale felt the selection process was riddled with politics. She mentioned that she withdrew her consideration for Team USA because she sensed that she wasn’t truly wanted on the team, a sentiment echoed by many observers who feel the same about Clark.
In a revealing interview on SportsCenter, Ogunbowale expressed her frustrations: “I was involved in it, you know, the whole years leading up to it. I went to camps and stuff. Just as a player, I know myself, I know what I see. I just wasn’t feeling like they really wanted me on that team.”
This isn’t just limited to Team USA; Ogunbowale highlighted that politics play a role across all sports, with some players being favored over others for reasons beyond their athletic performance. She stated, “When I said politics, I was just referring to sports in general, not even just women’s basketball. I see it across all professional sports. There are some players that aren’t on teams, there’s some players that aren’t that good that are on teams.”
Ogunbowale’s absence from Team USA, despite her proven skills, is baffling to many. Her brother, during a recent game, tweeted about the “all-time team Olympic snub,” reflecting the frustration many feel about the current selection process. Even though she’s not on the Olympic roster, Ogunbowale remains confident in her abilities and is thankful for the opportunities she has.
The situation with Caitlin Clark is equally perplexing. On June 9th, it was announced that Clark was off the team, a decision that raised many eyebrows given her significant impact on the WNBA. Clark, known for her competitive spirit, has continued to excel, further proving that the decision to exclude her was more about personal biases and less about her capabilities on the court.
Ogunbowale’s candid remarks shed light on the deeper issues within the WNBA and Team USA, highlighting a culture of jealousy and pettiness that influences team selections. These dynamics are reminiscent of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, where internal politics and activism often overshadow merit.
Despite these challenges, Ogunbowale remains a formidable player, consistently proving her worth on the court. “At the end of the day, they choose who they want to choose. That has nothing to do with me. I’m very confident and comfortable in my skill, whether I’m on a team or not. I’m blessed to play the game. God has blessed me with abilities, and I’m just going to keep doing what I do.”
In conclusion, the exclusion of players like Caitlin Clark and Arike Ogunbowale from Team USA highlights a troubling trend of politics overshadowing talent in professional sports. These decisions not only rob deserving athletes of opportunities but also deny fans the chance to see the best players compete on the world stage. As the WNBA and Team USA move forward, it’s crucial to address these issues to ensure that selections are based on merit and not on personal biases or internal politics.
