Caitlin Clark might have a shot at the Olympics after all, as one of Team USA’s key players continues to struggle with an injury problem.
Clark, the No. 1 pick in this year’s WNBA draft, was controversially left off Cheryl Reeve’s main roster for this summer’s Games in Paris despite her record-breaking collegiate success with Iowa and strong start in the big leagues with Indiana.
Instead, the 22-year-old was named an alternate, meaning she is one of the first in line if a Team USA player has to withdraw from the roster.
And with Diana Taurasi currently battling a leg injury, the door could still be open for Clark to receive a surprising late call-up to the Olympic team.
Taurasi, a six-time Olympian and Phoenix Mercury point guard who is one of Reeve’s most important players heading into this summer’s Games, has missed her team’s last four WNBA games because of the issue.
Caitlin Clark might have a shot at the Olympics this summer after all
Diana Taurasi faces a race against time to get back into shape as she continues to battle a leg injury.
He will also be unavailable for the Mercury’s game against Clark and the Fever on Friday, meaning his chances of making it to Paris are in doubt.
Since she operates in the same position, Clark would be the most obvious replacement for Taurasi if she were to lose her race against time to get back into shape.
Reeve sparked outrage by leaving the Fever sensation off his Olympic roster this summer, with Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy branding the US authorities behind the decision “dumb women”.
“Hey, suckers,” Portnoy shouted in a video on social media. “For the first time in the history of basketball, you have arguably the most popular player in the world.”
‘You can argue that Caitlin Clark is the most popular basketball player and the one that gets the most seats in the world. You can argue that. And they leave her off the Olympic team?’
Clark brought unprecedented attention to women’s basketball in her college days with Iowa and is already drawing new eyes to the sport in the WNBA, with several rival teams moving their games against Indiana to larger arenas to accommodate the increased demand.
After previously receiving criticism for suggesting she’s not ready for the big leagues, Taurasi effusively praised Clark after Phoenix’s loss to Indiana last month.
Taurasi recently praised Clark for bringing unprecedented attention to women’s basketball.
“It’s amazing what Caitlin has been able to do in her short career so far,” the 42-year-old said. “It’s been nothing short of extraordinary.”
“What she’s done for the game has been pretty incredible and (having) that push coming out of college, it’s made eyes at you for four years in a row.”
When on form, Taurasi has continued to show why she is one of the most talented players in the WNBA this season, averaging 16.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.
Clark, meanwhile, is averaging 16.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game, and her excellent start was rewarded with inclusion in the WNBA All-Star Game.