- Cheryl Reeve and Team USA are said to prefer seasoned veterans for games.
- The United States seeks its eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal in basketball in Paris
WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark is not expected to be on the plane to Paris this summer, according to a report.
The Indiana Fever rookie will reportedly miss the 12-player team for the 2024 Summer Olympics in the French capital, despite being the top pick in the WNBA Draft.
Instead, head coach Cheryl Reeve and the selection committee are said to favor veterans like A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, according to The Atlético.
Clark was one of 14 players called to a training camp with Team USA in April, but was unable to attend as it came in the middle of Iowa’s run to the NCAA championship game.
“You always want to grow up and be on the Olympic team, but luckily for me, I have the opportunity not to because I want to be in the Final Four playing basketball with my team,” Clark said after receiving his invitation. .
WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark is reportedly not expected to be on the plane to Paris this summer.
Indiana Fever rookie reportedly set to miss Cheryl Reeve’s 12-player squad
‘But if not, that’s where I’ll be. The people on that list are people I idolize and have idolized growing up. Just getting an invite to camp is something to be proud of, celebrate and enjoy.”
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.
However, Reeve has reportedly favored experience in selecting his squad as Team USA looks to defend its gold in Paris.
The selection committee is said to favor veterans like A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart (R)
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.