According to multiple reports, Caitlin Clark will not be joining Team USA in the 2024 Olympics. Shams Charania of The Athletic was the first to report that the Indiana Fever rookie is not expected to be joining the team in Paris this summer. Sourcing multiple reports, ESPN posted the projected roster which is headlined by reigning MVP A’ja Wilson.
The backcourt is anchored by 41 year old Diana Taurasi, Team USA’s most tenured veteran. Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray (who is still rehabbing an injury but is projected to be back this summer) of the back-to-back WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces anchor most of the guard rotation. 2023 WNBA scoring champion Jewell Loyd, 2021 WNBA Finals MVP Kahleah Copper, and two-time All-WNBA second teamer Sabrina Ionescu round out the group.
Wilson leads the front court alongside former league MVP Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, Brittney Griner and Alyssa Thomas who each have WNBA All-Defense first team and All-WNBA credits to their names.
Clark’s omission led to speculation Saturday morning about her fanbase being a potential disruption in an Olympic run. Christine Brennan of USA Today reported that two sources expressed concern that Clark’s fans could influence roster and game management decisions. While younger players have been a part of Team USA rosters in the past — Breanna Stewart and Candace Parker made the 2016 and 2008 teams as rookies, respectively — the last rookie guard to make an Olympic team was Diana Taurasi in 2004.
Other notable omissions for the roster include 2022 WNBA Rookie of the Year and two time WNBA All-Star Rhyne Howard and reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston. Both players were a part of Team USA’s Olympic qualifying roster. The official Team USA roster has not been released yet.
On the podcast, Tyler and Greer break down the potential snub, its implications and who could’ve been left off the roster in favor of Clark, if anyone. You can subscribe to the No Cap Space podcast on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also subscribe to our Youtube page as well.
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