It looks like Team USA and Cheryl Reeve are under more pressure than ever due to Caitlin Clark. Let’s dive into what’s happening with Team USA as they prepare for the Paris Olympics.

More information is being revealed about the immense pressure Cheryl Reeve and the entire USA Women’s Basketball team are facing after leaving Caitlin Clark and a few other players off the Olympic roster. An article pointed out that without Caitlin Clark, this New Jersey Hoops coach cannot afford to lose at the Paris Olympics.

The US women’s basketball team has an impressive record, winning 55 straight games in Olympic play since 1992, including seven consecutive gold medals. They dominated in Tokyo three summers ago, winning by an average of 16 points, their lowest margin in decades. However, Cheryl Reeve might face a bigger challenge than any previous coach due to the increasing competitiveness of other nations, bolstered by elite WNBA players.

The “Caitlin Clark Factor” brings an added level of external pressure. Reeve and the team have never experienced such scrutiny. Reeve commented, “I guess it’s all what you make of it. What we’ve tried to really balance is each journey is different. Our team, this is the first time we’ve gotten together. We don’t have a 55-game win streak that tempers it a little bit. We want it to be special, and we know how hard we have to work to do it.”

Despite Reeve’s efforts to distance herself from the Caitlin Clark effect, it’s challenging to escape the controversy, especially after making strong comments about the young athlete on Twitter. This year’s WNBA season is next level, largely because of Clark, and her absence from the Olympic team continues to stir controversy. Many fans are planning to boycott the Olympics, and early indications suggest they are following through on this.

Team USA must win gold; failure would be unprecedented and could severely impact Cheryl Reeve’s coaching career. Reeve and other committee members, including Dawn Staley, played a role in Caitlin Clark not being on the team, and this situation will only intensify as the Olympics progress.

Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark has already broken eight WNBA records since joining the Indiana Fever. However, her pursuit of WNBA milestones has been paused due to the Olympic break. The Fever, with a core group including Clark, are using this time to improve their play and implement new strategies. They have turned their season around, achieving a 10-7 run and rejuvenating hopes of making the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

Clark has significantly boosted attention for the Fever, drawing sellout crowds and helping secure a $2.2 billion media rights deal for the WNBA, set to begin in the 2025-26 season. Currently on vacation, Clark will return to practice soon, and fans eagerly await updates on her progress.

Team USA is preparing for battle in Paris, aiming for their eighth straight gold medal. The pressure is immense, but the team remains focused. Despite the challenges, Reeve and her team are determined to succeed and bring home the gold. Let’s hope the pressure doesn’t overwhelm them.

Get down in the comment section and let me know your thoughts about this situation. Keep those notification bells on because I’ll keep bringing you the news. Until next time, shake the haters off! Peace out.