Caitlin Clark, the NCAA Division I all-time scoring leader, will use her early play in the WNBA as an opportunity to vie for a spot on the U.S. Olympic women's basketball team for the upcoming Paris Games. The final roster for the Olympics will not be determined until June 1, with Clark aiming to impress the selection committee through her performances in the WNBA.
Due to her commitment to Iowa during the Final Four, Clark was unable to attend the U.S. training camp in Cleveland. However, her participation in the WNBA will serve as her platform to showcase her skills and potential for the national team.
The selection committee, led by Jennifer Rizzotti, emphasized the importance of talent, positional fit, loyalty, and experience in the selection process. While attending the training camp would have been beneficial, it was not mandatory for Clark to make the team.
The U.S. women's basketball team will convene in Phoenix for a pre-Olympics camp in July, including an exhibition All-Star game against WNBA players. The team is aiming for an eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal.
Clark joins a talented group of guards in the U.S. women's basketball pool, which includes veterans like Diana Taurasi and emerging talents such as Chelsea Gray, Ariel Atkins, and Jewell Loyd. Rizzotti highlighted the importance of grooming the next generation of guards to ensure a strong future for the team.
If selected, Clark would follow in the footsteps of WNBA rookie Breanna Stewart, who made the Olympic team in 2016. Despite her lack of senior national team experience, Clark has a successful history with junior USA teams, winning gold medals at various FIBA tournaments.
While there were speculations about Clark potentially joining the 3x3 team, her focus remains on playing 5-on-5 basketball at the highest level. Clark expressed her excitement about the prospect of competing against the best players in the world in the traditional format.
Clark's WNBA debut with the Connecticut Sun on May 14 will provide Rizzotti, who is also the president of the Sun, with a firsthand look at her skills and potential for the national team.
Clark's journey to secure a spot on the U.S. Olympic women's basketball team is a testament to her dedication and talent, as she aims to fulfill her dream of representing her country on the grand stage of the Olympics.
