Team USA has released their final roster of the women's basketball team for the 2024 Olympics. The US has been inarguably the best team in the world for some time now, and they look to maintain that pristine standing in Paris. The roster has plenty of WNBA stars, from budding like Sabrina Ionescu and A'ja Wilson to veterans like Brittney Griner and the ageless Diana Taurasi.
Much to the surprise of the casual WNBA fan, though, younger stars from the recent WNBA rookie draft class were missing. In particular, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark was not included in the roster, per Shams Charania. The move sparked a lot of reactions on social media.
“Indiana Fever rookie sensation Caitlin Clark is expected to be left off the 12-player Team USA women’s basketball roster for the upcoming Summer Olympics, according to sources briefed on the decision.”
The full lineup consisting of WNBA veterans is found here:
“The main roster indicates a preference for veterans with the selection of A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Alyssa Thomas, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Sabrina Ionescu, Chelsea Gray and Kahleah Copper, those sources said.”
The USA Women's Basketball team has been a consistent gold medalist since 1996. As a result, the team certainly wants to maintain their reputation as the best in the entire world. Clark, as well as some of the other rookies, have been solid, yes. However, they still aren't the best at their respective positions in the WNBA. Hence, they were not selected for the team.
That hasn't stopped frustrated fans from voicing their displeasure. Some of the frustration is misguided, with them criticizing the WNBA instead of the Team USA panel.
“Free her. WNBA doesn’t deserve CC”
“what an AWFUL decision”
“That’s gotta be rigged”
US Women's Team lineup filled with WNBA veterans
Despite what the critics may say, though, the US Women's National Team is still loaded with talent. The veterans they've selected are the best of the best and play their positions well. Wilson, Plum, and Ionescu are the “young stars” of this lineup, but even they have been pretty tenured. Plum and Wilson are WNBA champions, too, winning it with the Las Vegas Aces. They are supplemented by a strong core of veterans in Taurasi, Griner, and Loyd, who have experience both in the league and in international competition.
In time, though, Clark and the rest of the 2024 WNBA draft class will have their chance to shine in the international stage. Some of them are in fact headed to the Olympics: Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink is joining the Women's 3×3 lineup with TCU guard Hailey Van Lith, Atlanta Dream's Rhyne Howard, and veteran Cierra Burdick. It's important to note too that Brink has international experience too, winning tournament MVP in the latest FIBA 3×3 Women's World Cup and leading Team USA to a win.
There's certainly a discussion to be made about how WNBA players have been treating Clark in the league. However, in this case, the decision to leave Clark out makes total sense. For what it's worth, Clark came out guns blazing in their win against the Washington Mystics, dropping 30 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. It's a statement that her time is coming. It might not be now, but certainly in the future.
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