Caitlin Clark, the rising star of women’s basketball, will not be joining the U.S. team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, as reported by The Athletic. Shams Charania, a well-connected journalist in the U.S. basketball scene, revealed that the team has decided to go with a lineup filled with other big names such as A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Alyssa Thomas, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Sabrina Ionescu, Chelsea Gray, and Kahleah Copper.
At just 22 years old, Clark is the all-time leading scorer in college basketball and was drafted number one overall by the Indiana Fever in the WNBA draft. She is seen as a player who could revolutionize women’s basketball and has already become a true sports star in her country. Clark has an incredible ability to score from the perimeter, reminiscent of NBA genius Stephen Curry.
The Iowa native made headlines on Friday by tying the record for most three-pointers made in a game by a rookie in the WNBA, sinking seven threes. The U.S. women’s team has been dominant in international women’s basketball, winning the gold medal in every Olympics since Atlanta 1996.
While Caitlin Clark’s exclusion from the Olympic team may come as a surprise to many, the decision to go with a roster of proven veterans and experienced players reflects the team’s commitment to maintaining its winning legacy on the international stage. Clark’s time to shine on the Olympic stage may come in the future, but for now, fans will have to wait to see her compete at the highest level of basketball.