Since joining the WNBA, Caitlin Clark has become quite the lightning rod. Everything related to her becomes a polarizing issue.
The latest issue is Clark’s exclusion from Team USA’s women’s basketball team. Her omission riled fans up over the weekend after the rosters were reported out through the press. Even though nothing had officially been announced, people were ready to react. By Monday, it was a hot topic on the sports debate shows everyone loves to get upset about.
The reaction has grown to such a fever pitch that USA Basketball felt the need to address Clark’s absence from the team. Clark was left off the team because of a lack of experience, according to reporting from The Associated Press.
USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley told the AP:
“It’s a great mix of talent across the board in terms of individual skillsets. We have veterans, newcomers and those in the middle. Good perspective and continuity is such an important thing and is why we’ve been so successful in the Olympics.”
That’s what it boils down to. Clark hasn’t been able to participate in Team USA’s program. That continuity doesn’t exist with her, and even if it did, she wouldn’t have the experience necessary to make it to Paris this time around.
There are newcomers on the roster with much more to offer in that department.
First-time Olympians:
🇺🇸 Alyssa Thomas — @connecticutsun
🇺🇸 Kahleah Copper — @PhoenixMercury
🇺🇸 Sabrina Ionescu — @nyliberty https://t.co/vJULFhoIn2 pic.twitter.com/bHYXB9rWfi— The Athletic WBB (@TheAthleticWBB) June 11, 2024
It’s hard to justify removing those players considering the circumstances. Selection committee chair Jen Rizzotti shared as much:
“Here’s the basketball criteria that we were given as a committee and how do we evaluate our players based on that? And when you base your decision on criteria, there were other players that were harder to cut because they checked a lot more boxes. Then sometimes it comes down to position, style of play for Cheryl (Reeve) and then sometimes a vote.”
So there you have it, folks. That’s why Clark didn’t make the team.
That doesn’t mean she’ll never make it. Tooley said that he hopes Clark will be able to be part of the process as things move forward into the future.
But it just seems that her time isn’t right now. And, you know what? That’s totally OK.
