Can Caitlin Clark play on the Canadian Olympic team? Explaining whether Fever star has dual citizenship
Caitlin Clark’s omission from the 2024 U.S. women’s basketball Olympic roster garnered endless discourse among keyboard warriors and media pencil-pushers alike. Some labeled it a travesty that a rookie still getting adjusted to WNBA life could be left off the Olympic roster. Others were more pragmatic, believing that Clark’s absence could serve her well — after all, she’s been playing non-stop basketball since last fall.
There’s a rumor beginning to gain traction among the cesspool that is social media, however, one that could very well put both arguments to rest. A growing number of Clark’s disciples believe she could actually swap the Stars and Stripes for the Maple Leaf to take part in Olympic competition this season.
Why would Clark — a player with years of U.S. youth national team experience — do such a thing? Fan fiction is really en vogue this time of year, I suppose. The thought of Clark vanquishing her American compatriots might enliven a certain segment of her fanbase…much to her chagrin.
Regardless of the purposes of such tenuous grumblings, there’s clearly a large amount of viewers desperate for Clark’s presence at the 2024 Paris Games. Here’s what you need to know about the prospect of Clark featuring for another country in this year’s Summer Olympics.
Can Caitlin Clark play for the Canadian Olympic team?
Clark is not Canadian, nor are her parents, Anne and Brent. She was born and raised in Iowa, one of those Midwestern states that people regularly prop up as distinctly “American.” There are no legitimate connections between her and the Canadian national team.
That hasn’t stopped some from claiming (or joking) that she can sport Canada’s colors at the 2024 Paris Olympics, however.
BREAKING: The Canadian Women's Basketball team is reaching out to Caitlin Clark to bring her back to play for their country at the 2024 Paris Olympics after being defeated by the United States team. pic.twitter.com/3WpwEc8DHg
— Imperative Technology🌐✨ (@ImperativeTec) June 15, 2024
If Clark’s parents were Canadian, they could pass down their citizenship to Clark, as she would be a first-generation descendant of a Canadian national. In those circumstances, she could have played for Canada at the Olympics, as she has yet to take part in a major senior tournament with the United States. If she opted to join the Canadians for this year’s Olympic run, she would likely give up her opportunity to wear the red, white, and blue again, barring extraordinary circumstances.
She might have a better case at playing for Italy in international competition, as her mother holds some Sicilian heritage. She would have to obtain Italian citizenship in that case, as well, which would require Clark to prove that her mother’s parents were born in Italy and refused to acquire any other citizenship (US or otherwise) prior to her mother’s birth in Iowa.
That would be a curious choice for Clark, however, because Italy didn’t even qualify for this year’s Olympic Games.
Did Caitlin Clark make the Olympic team?
Despite all the fanfare surrounding Clark’s ascendancy to the W, she was left off of this year’s Olympic roster. Head coach Cheryl Reeve opted to take a veteran-laden side to Paris, with just two players aged 26 or younger featuring in the squad: Aces guard Jackie Young and Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu.
Here’s a look at the team USA basketball is sending to France’s capital this summer:
Player
Position
WNBA Team
Napheesa Collier
F
Minnesota Lynx
Kahleah Copper
G
Phoenix Mercury
Chelsea Gray
G
Las Vegas Aces
Brittney Griner
C
Phoenix Mercury
Sabrina Ionescu
G
New York Liberty
Jewell Loyd
G
Seattle Storm
Kelsey Plum
G
Las Vegas Aces
Breanna Stewart
F
New York Liberty
Diana Taurasi
G
Phoenix Mercury
Alyssa Thomas
F
Connecticut Sun
A’ja Wilson
F
Las Vegas Aces
Jackie Young
G
Las Vegas Aces
Where is Caitlin Clark from?
Clark hails from West Des Moines, Iowa, about a two-hour drive from the University of Iowa campus where she starred for four seasons.
She played high school ball at Dowling Catholic in her hometown, racking up numerous accolades during her prep career, from being the state’s leading scorer two years in a row to earning Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year and Iowa Miss Basketball for her senior season. During her time in West Des Moines, she also nabbed two gold medals with Team USA: one at the 2017 U16 FIBA Americas Tournament, and one at the 2019 U19 FIBA World Cup.
News
Thousands Stunned by Trump’s Strong 3-Word Warning to Police Association President Live at Arizona Rally
Trump’s three-word warning to police association president as he hogged the microphone at explosive Arizona rally https://videos.dailymail.co.uk/video/mol/2024/08/24/6616534242617541835/640x360_MP4_6616534242617541835.mp4 Donald Trump booted the president of the Arizona Police Association off the stage at his rally – telling him ‘you gotta go.’ Justin Harris joined the…
BREAKING NEWS Trump watches on as RFK Jr gives bombshell endorsement in Arizona – before former president issues surprise pledge
Robert Kennedy Jr. cemented his full devotion to Donald Trump before a raucous crowd of adoring supporters in Arizona Friday evening, finalizing his defection from the Democratic party. The nephew of Democratic President John F. Kennedy joined the former president on stage to a barrage…
Kamala Harris is finally cornered by a Fox News reporter after refusing to do an interview for more than a MONTH after Biden dropped out, once again confirming what we were already suspecting
Vice President Kamala Harris laughed off Fox News reporter Peter Doocy when he asked for an interview late Thursday night after her Democrat National Convention speech. ‘Hi Peter. How are you?’ Harris replied after Doocy called her name. ‘Congratulations,’ Doocy said before asking, ‘Are you ready…
Is this the real reason Beyoncé bailed on the DNC? KENNEDY’s savage takedown of Kamala’s night to forget
Maybe Beyoncé bailed on the DNC because she doesn’t buy this cheap Hollywood rebrand from ‘Kamala the bully’: KENNEDY’s savage takedown of Harris’s night to forget Where the heck was Beyoncé?! We were promised a diva but had to settle…
Kamala Harris unexpectedly send important message to Trump, causing his allies to ‘out of their minds’ as she makes important promises to all Americans
Kamala Harris launches blistering attacks on Trump and says his allies are ‘out of their minds’ as she makes major promises to all Americans Kamala Harris vowed to be a president who ‘unites us,’ pitching herself as a leader for all…
Kamala’s model stepdaugher Ella Emhoff sets internet alight with stylish DNC arrival, but what she said is what people care about most.
Ella Emhoff sets the internet alight with her appearance as she urges America to vote for her ‘Momala’ Kamala Harris Kamala Harris’ stepdaughter Ella Emhoff took the stage Thursday night at the Democratic National Convention ahead of her stepmom or ‘Momala’…
End of content
No more pages to load