Caitlin Clark, the highly-touted rookie from the Indiana Fever, was not included in the final roster for Team USA's women's basketball team for the Paris Olympics. The decision came despite Clark generating massive television ratings, sponsorship dollars, and attendance for her team despite playing on a terrible Indiana squad. Some argue that she should have been given a spot due to her popularity and potential as a long-term WNBA star.
However, Team USA's selection committee opted for roster continuity and experience instead. Clark was not present at the final Olympic training camp in April 2024 because her Hawkeyes were playing in the Final Four. The committee revealed its philosophy by selecting a roster that showed deference to veterans and no rush to include Clark, who is not a teammate of any of them and has not attended a senior national team camp due to her collegiate commitments.
Clark's averages of 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists through the first 12 games in the WNBA are impressive for any point guard, let alone a rookie. However, she has struggled with turnovers as Indiana's primary ball handler and leads the league with 5.6 per game.
The U.S. Olympic women's basketball team is chosen by a six-member panel, but USA Basketball has not confirmed who made the final roster.
Some of the players selected include Aja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young and others. Clark was not included in this list.
Despite her exclusion from Team USA's Olympic roster, Clark is expected to have a successful career in the WNBA and beyond.
