Women’s basketball sensation, Caitlin Clark, was not selected to represent the USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The recent no. 1 pick in the WNBA draft was not included in the team for a number of reasons, to the dismay of the throng of fans she has brought to the erstwhile-languishing women’s pro league. Whatever reasons these were, fans were furious with the decision, even to the point of threatening to boycott the women’s basketball competition in Paris.
Clark herself tried to diffuse the tension, saying: “I think it gives you something to work for. You know, it’s a dream.” She also felt that the pause in the WNBA schedule would give her some valuable time to “get rest and get healthy”, saying that “it’s going to be really nice to have some time off during the Olympics.”
Still, her fans felt that her non-inclusion was simply unjustified, and that it smacked of jealousy and bias. Here are some of the reasons ventured why the USA Basketball Selection Committee did not list Clark in the US Women’s Basketball Team:
- Caitlin cannot be considered a top player in the WNBA at this point. Her talent, at this early stage in her career, is not yet good enough to become a part of the elite cast donning the US uniform.
- Caitlin does not have the experience to match those who were selected to the team.
- Caitlin lacks the physicality that is commonly seen in international basketball competitions.
- She does not have any championship credentials that would justify her inclusion at her age.
- She failed to join the Olympic tryouts.
- The selection committee did not consider marketing and popularity as part of the criteria.
- The selection committee feared that fans would not take it lightly if Caitlin was not given enough playing time on the court.
All these however went down the drain when the supposedly ‘best-of-the-best’ Team USA was humiliated by a Team WNBA that had only 2 days practice prior to their exhibition match. With Arike Ogunbowale sizzling on the scoring end, Caitlin Clark providing the crisp assists, and fellow rookie Angel Reese ripping down the rebounds, the upstart Team WNBA demolished the supposedly more credentialed, more experienced, more talented, and more cohesive Team USA 117-109 before a stunned, yet highly appreciative Phoenix crowd.
Arike, who would take the Most Valuable Player honors for the game, was herself a prominent write-off from the roster. It was reported that she asked her name to be stricken off the selection process, which she felt was ‘political’. Angel, on the other hand, has been a pleasant surprise with her double-double record in points and rebounds. She and Caitlyn, both rookies, have been 2 of the biggest reasons the WNBA has been in the spotlight for the past months.
Asked if she felt vindicated with the win after the USA Basketball Selection Committee’s decision not to include her in the Team USA line-up, Caitlin took the high ground, and instead deflected the clear undertone by saying “”No. They’re really good. They have plenty of talent on that team,” she said. “Four years prior, Team WNBA beat Team USA — (but) they were perfectly fine in the Olympics. If anything it shows how good this league is. It shows how much talent is in this league. … They could’ve picked any combination of 12 players, and they probably would’ve been really, really successful.”
As a result of the loss, the Selection Committee, including coach Cheryl Reeves, have received much criticism for their process of selection. And only a gold medal in the ongoing Paris Olympics will appease the diehard Caitlyn fans. Team USA takes pride over the fact that they are one of the most dominant in all Olympic sports, with a 70-3 record in Olympic play, and a record seven consecutive titles. No other team in the world has ever won the women’s basketball gold, nor have even come close to winning it.
Caitlyn, with her immense popularity and projection as an upcoming star of the WNBA, was a strong candidate for the team, but it was not enough when stacked up against a deep pool of talented, experienced guards. Team USA’s results at the of the Olympics will judge whether that decision was good or not.
Caitlyn’s exceptional skills, basketball IQ and leadership undoubtedly would have had a significant impact on the team’s performance, considering the huge fan base she would have brought to Paris. Her style of play is electrifying, drawing fans and viewers from across the globe. Her popularity transcends traditional basketball circles; thus, including her on the Olympic team would have given the sport in general a significant increase in exposure.
Therefore, a balance should have been struck between fielding a competitive team and seizing the opportunity to promote women’s basketball on the global stage. Taking these 2 factors thoughtfully, Team USA’s selection committee could have not only won the gold, it would have helped ensure that women’s basketball thrive, and inspire the bigger audience around the world.
Cover photo courtesy of Sportico.com. Other pics courtesy of People Magazine, Yahoo sports, LA Daily News, the Dallas Examiner, USA Today, Star Local Media, Athlon Sports and Fox News. For a closer look, just click on the pics.
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