Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Caitlin Clark “deserves” a spot on Team USA’s Olympic roster because she “transformed” women’s basketball.
The private equity CEO-turned-politician, who attended Rice University on a basketball scholarship, said it’s “really crazy” that the Fever superstar was left out of the team for this summer’s games in Paris.
“At the end of the day, no one can deny the fact that she has completely transformed fans’ interest and enthusiasm for women’s basketball,” he said on Monday’s episode of the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show.
He went on to cite the fact that the Washington Mystics moved their next game against Clark’s team from their 4,200-seat home arena to Capital One Arena.
‘Caitlin Clark comes to town and they move (the game) to the 20,000-seat Capital One and sell it. that’s all caitlin “Clark, she deserves a spot on the team,” he continued.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Caitlin Clark “deserves” a spot on Team USA’s roster.
“She has completely transformed the interest and enthusiasm for women’s basketball,” he said.
“This is not a knock against any of the other players, they are all fabulous players,” she insisted, adding, “there have been rookies who have made the Olympic team before, like Diana Taurasi and Candace Parker.”
“She is transforming women’s basketball and should have a place on the team.”
The shocking decision to exclude her from the team has sparked outrage among fans and analysts alike, with Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe accusing Team USA bosses of “idiocy.”
“You know damn well that with or without Caitlin Clark they’re probably going to win gold again. That’s not what this conversation is about,” Smith said on ESPN’s First Take.
Clark was snubbed by Team USA for a spot in this summer’s Olympics in Paris
Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe were also infuriated by Clark’s Olympic snub.
‘This is about what I will personally call the idiocy of Team USA Women’s Basketball. How dare you make this decision?’ It’s stupid. And I’ll tell you why it’s stupid.
‘I want all the ladies on this team to know that each and every one of you deserves it. Caitlin Clark doesn’t deserve a spot ahead of any of the players on this list… if we’re just talking about basketball! You know we’re not!
He continued: ‘This girl is box office.’ I said a rising tide lifts all boats; especially if you’re Team USA and you’re trying to go global and there’s an opportunity to globalize the WNBA brand, so people like Brittney Griner and others don’t have to go to Russia during the offseason to play basketball for extra income. . …
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Clark, for her part, addressed the news over the weekend, with fans praising the 22-year-old for her “classy” response to the decision.
“I’m excited for the girls that are on the team,” the No. 1 draft pick said Sunday, insisting that she will support the team this summer.
“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,” he continued.
“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.”