Fans Devastated For Caitlin Clark After Team USA Olympic Decision
Caitlin Clark fans couldn’t believe Team USA’s decision to not include the Indiana Fever rookie in its pool of athletes for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
There has already been rumblings about Clark potentially being left off the Team USA roster for the Paris games, but many held out hope that the most popular female hooper in the US would get the call.
However, a couple of reports Friday confirmed that no call is coming.
“I’m hearing that Caitlin Clark, the best-known women’s basketball player & most popular athlete in the country, is not going to be selected for the US Olympic women’s basketball team. Stunning news that I’m working to confirm,” Christine Brennan of USA Today reported earlier.
I’m hearing that Caitlin Clark, the best-known women’s basketball player & most popular athlete in the country, is not going to be selected for the US Olympic women’s basketball team. Stunning news that I’m working to confirm. My Feb column on the issues: https://t.co/TKXusKMDKt
— Christine Brennan (@cbrennansports) June 8, 2024
An hour after Brennan’s post, David Eickholt of 247 Sports shared, “I’ve been told that Caitlin Clark has not been selected for the 2024 Olympics team, per source.”
I’ve been told that Caitlin Clark has not been selected for the 2024 Olympics team, per source.
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt)
June 8, 2024
Shams Charania of The Athletic further added fuel to the fire as he corroborated the earlier reports: “Indiana Fever rookie sensation Caitlin Clark is expected to be left off the 12-player Team USA women’s basketball roster for the upcoming Summer Olympics, according to sources.”
Indiana Fever rookie sensation Caitlin Clark is expected to be left off the 12-player Team USA women’s basketball roster for the upcoming Summer Olympics, according to sources.
The full 12-player roster revealed at @TheAthletic: https://t.co/HYnvYWR0Rh
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
June 8, 2024
Sure enough, fans of the Fever rookie were not too happy with the reported decision. While Clark has yet to participate in any Team USA senior camp yet–having missed the April invitation due to the Iowa Hawkeyes’ NCAA title bid–her supporters argued she’s more than deserving with what she has done on the court.
“I’d say it’s impossible that they don’t include her. She’s the biggest draw in the women’s game, with no close second,” a commenter who can’t believe the reporting shared.
A frustrated fan added, “That sucks.” Another one said, “Lmao. They’ll regret this one. But, but … ‘She hasn’t paid her dues yet’ .. or some other BS.”
Jun 2, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) walks back to the bench in the third quarter against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center.
Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
A supporter even referenced Clark’s recent achievement against the Washington Mystics in which she became the fastest player ever to reach 200 points and 50 assists.
“Fastest rookie in WNBA history to go over 200 points and 50+ assists in 10 games. Sounds like she’s adopting pretty well. Selection committee will be making a big mistake if she gets left off the team,” the fan noted.
“Let’s be honest we all know why they are not selecting Clark because all the attention will be on her not on veteran players,” a social media user theorized.
A fifth X user said, “Wow [USA basketball] this will be so disappointing if true. Such great opportunities to introduce new fans to women’s basketball on the biggest stage.”
It is worth noting that Team USA has yet to make an official announcement about its 2024 roster for women’s basketball, but Charania did share a list of the players who reportedly made it. Indeed, Caitlin Clark was not included.
