Caitlin Clark has broken her silence about her alleged exclusion from the US team for this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris.
Despite her record-breaking collegiate success at Iowa and an impressive start to her WNBA career with the Indiana Fever, The Athletic stated Saturday that Clark will not travel to Paris with the US team for this summer’s Olympics.
Instead, head coach Cheryl Reeve and the selection committee are said to favor veterans like A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart.
The decision sparked a furious reaction across American basketball and came at the end of a week in which Clark was the center of attention after being brutally fouled by the Chicago Sky’s Chennedy Carter.
Clark has now responded to reports that he will miss out and insists he will continue to “cheer them on to win gold.”
Caitlin Clark broke her silence on Team USA’s Olympics snub
“I’m excited for the girls that are on the team,” Clark said Sunday.
“I know it’s the most competitive team in the world and I know it could have gone either way, whether I was on the team or not.
“I’m excited for them, I’ll be rooting for them to win gold.” “I was a kid who grew up watching the Olympics, it will be fun to watch.”
The decision to omit Clark caused widespread consternation across the United States, especially given the enormous impact she has had on the WNBA this season.
While at Iowa, Clark became the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I basketball. He also rose to become one of the biggest names in American sports.
She was then selected by the Fever with the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft and averaged 16.8 points on 37.3 percent shooting, 6.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game in 12 starts.
She scored a career-high 30 points on 7-of-13 three-point shooting in the Fever’s 85-83 win over the Washington Mystics on Friday night.
Indiana Fever rookie reportedly set to miss Cheryl Reeve’s 12-player squad
However, Reeve has reportedly favored experience in selecting his squad as Team USA looks to defend its gold in Paris.
Wilson, Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Alyssa Thomas, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Sabrina Ionescu, Chelsea Gray and Kahleah Copper are expected to be named to the team, according to The Athletic.
The WNBA season will take a break from July 21 to August 14 for games in which the Americans will open the tournament in Group C against Germany, Japan and Belgium.
The United States will begin its quest for another medal on July 29 against the Japanese.
Team USA is seeking its eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal in basketball, and 10th overall, in Paris.
More to follow.