Basketball fans across the nation are outraged that Team USA left Caitlin Clark off the roster. New information is emerging almost hourly, revealing various reasons why Clark was ultimately excluded from Team USA.
Team USA Coach Cheryl Reeve, who is also the head coach of the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, plays a significant role in shaping the final roster. While she isn’t solely responsible for the decisions, her input is highly valued by the Team USA committee members. It appears that Reeve was in favor of keeping Clark off the team. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, given Reeve’s comments earlier this year.
Reeve told reporters at the USOPC summit that she had never “been in the trenches” with Clark, implying she wouldn’t feel comfortable putting her on a roster competing for a gold medal. This has led to speculation that there was a conspiracy to leave Clark out of Team USA, which might have been set in motion months ago.
Additionally, Reeve faced criticism a few months ago for expressing frustration with the extensive media attention Caitlin Clark was receiving. She advocated for the league to focus more on the rest of the team. Many see this as another example of WNBA veterans and coaches being envious of Clark.
The situation has escalated to the point where USA Today published an article detailing the potential impact Caitlin Clark would have had if she were selected for the 2024 US Olympics Women’s Basketball team. The article noted that whether people love or hate the media’s fascination with Clark, there’s no denying she drives up numbers. Her presence on the team would have brought much-needed attention to players often ignored by the sports media during the Olympics.
Currently, it’s reported that Clark will not join the team unless someone withdraws or gets injured. Without her, the casual sports fans who fell in love with her at Iowa won’t get to see her at the Olympics, and veterans like Diana Taurasi and Jackie Young might not receive the recognition they deserve. The exclusion of Clark is seen as a significant loss for the WNBA’s visibility and potential growth.
Caitlin Clark learned she wasn’t going to be on the Olympic team just hours before a game, which many believe motivated her to score 30 points in that game. This situation highlights the jealousy and politics within the sport, overshadowing the potential business and viewership benefits Clark could bring to the league.
Despite the controversy, Clark remains focused on her performance. When asked about the Kennedy Carter situation, Clark downplayed any personal grudges, emphasizing her commitment to her team and the game.
As of now, Caitlin Clark is not part of Team USA unless someone else withdraws or gets injured. However, if the backlash continues to grow, there might still be a chance for her to join the team.
