Former Team USA women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley praised the growth of Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and says her play in recent months could have earned her a roster spot had the decision been made later.
Clark had played in 12 career games when the roster for Team USA fell through, leaving the Iowa star to watch the Olympics from home.
But when asked about Clark by NBC’s Mike Tirico, Staley believes that if the roster decision had been made closer to the Olympics, the Fever star might have been included.
“As a committee member, you have the responsibility to assemble the best team of players, the best talent,” Staley said.
‘Caitlin is just a rookie in the WNBA. She wasn’t playing badly, but she wasn’t playing like she is now.
Dawn Staley believes Caitlin Clark’s recent performance could have earned her a spot on the U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team roster if team decisions had been made later.
Clark is enjoying a well-deserved break after a grueling season that began in November.
“If we had to do it all over again, the way she’s playing, she would be highly considered to make the team because she’s playing so far above a lot of others and shooting the ball extremely well.
“She’s an elite passer. She’s got a great basketball IQ and, in a couple of months, she’s got a little bit more experience in the pro game… than she did two months ago.”
Clark has grown exponentially in the weeks since his snub, rising to 12th in the league in scoring, leading the league in assists and ranking in the top five in 3-pointers made.
But this break will also give Clark something equally significant: his first real chance to rest since he began playing college basketball last November.
Despite that much-needed time off, many believe Clark deserved to be on the team, including controversial conservative pundit Jason Whitlock.
“Just admit that they were petty and squandered a great opportunity. The U.S. women’s team is irrelevant without CC,” Whitlock said in response to Staley’s comments.
The United States team will begin its game on Monday against Japan.
