Caitlin Clark Breaks Silence on Olympics Snub as WNBA All-Stars Triumph Over Team USA Before Paris Games
Caitlin Clark Breaks Silence on Olympics Snub as WNBA All-Stars Triumph Over Team USA Before Paris Games
Caitlin Clark addressed her omission from the US Olympic team after she and the WNBA All-Stars claimed victory over the Americans heading to Paris Saturday night.
The superstar rookie, along with Angel Reese and Arike Ogunbowale, headlined the WNBA All-Stars team as they beat the Team USA 117-109 in the Olympics roster’s tune-up before the games later this month.
Clark’s snub from coach Cheryl Reeve’s Olympic team sparked outrage among WNBA fans and pundits.
And following her victory over the players who were picked to make the trip to France over her, the 2024 No. 1 draft pick was asked if the result offered her any sense of vindication.
‘No,’ the Indiana Fever star bluntly responded when pressed following Saturday’s showdown at the Footprint Center in Phoenix.
‘They’re really good. They have plenty of talent on that team. Four years prior I’m pretty sure Team WNBA beat Team USA, [and] 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 and how you have to show up and prepare every single night. There’s a lot of players that aren’t even here tonight that could be here too. It just shows the amount of talent we have.’
Clark offered no sign of bitterness towards her omission as she insisted she would be supporting the Stars and Stripes throughout the games.
‘For myself, form my standpoint, this is a great opportunity to help prepare them for Paris,’ she added of the All-Star Games.
‘I’m going to be supporting them and cheering them on. I love the Olympics. I’ve loved the Olympics ever since I was a little kid. They’re going to be just fine. They’re going to win gold and dominate.’
The USA Olympic Basketball committee favored WNBA veterans over the superstar rookie.
Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Brittney Griner, Sabrina Ionescu, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Alyssa Thomas, A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young were all called up.
While Clark accepted her omission in good grace and understanding, social media, particularly some pundits, didn’t take too kindly to the snub.