Fans were disappointed earlier this week when Caitlin Clark, the WNBA’s first-round pick, was not on the U. S. women’s basketball team roster. USA for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Now, USA Basketball has responded.
Selection committee president Jen Rizzotti told The Associated Press that it all depends on the criteria for deciding on players. Experience is a factor.
“And when you base your resolution on criteria, there were other players who were harder to eliminate because they met a lot more requirements,” Rizzotti said. “Then it depends on the position, Cheryl [Reeve’s] taste in play and it’s a vote. “
Clark, known for drawing millions of spectators to the school and professional women’s basketball games this year, said being part of the Olympic team was a dream and she now had something to work on.
“I hope I can be here one day,” he told reporters after Sunday’s practice. “I think it’s a little bit more motivation. That’s what I expect. I hope that in 4 years I can be there. “
She said she wasn’t disappointed and excited for the women who were part of the team.
The team is made up of players with individual abilities, Jim Tooley, executive director of USA Basketball, told the AP.
“We have veterans, newcomers and other people in between,” he said. “A smart perspective and continuity are very important things and that’s why we did well at the Olympics. “
The U. S. women’s basketball team has won gold at every single Olympic Games since 1988, with the exception of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, where they won bronze.
The six-person selection committee assembled a team of players who have already won a gold medal at the Olympics or World Cup, according to USA Basketball.
Diana Taurasi, who competed in her first Olympics 20 years ago in Athens, returns for her sixth consecutive Olympics. She joined through Phoenix Mercury teammates Brittney Griner and Kahleah Copper on Team USA. U. S.
Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Chelsea Gray, Jewell Loyd and A’ja Wilson, all of whom competed in previous Olympics, were also part of the team. Sabrina Ionescu, Kelsey Plum, Alyssa Thomas and Jackie Young, all Olympic or world winners. Cup gold medals have also been selected in 3×3 matches. Plum and Young will play on the 5×5 team.
Players like Clark and Ariel Atkins, who played in the Tokyo Olympics, and 2022 World Cup team members Shakira Austin, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton and Brionna Jones, could be taken to the Paris Olympics as alternates, according to the AP.
Still, enthusiasts were surprised when Clark, who is the NCAA Division I’s all-time leading scorer and one of only two players in WNBA history to have 150 points, 50 rebounds and 50 assists in her first 10 games, was left off the list.
“Leaving Catlin Clark of the U. S. women’s team. @Olympics will have to be one of the all-time mistakes in the history of sport,” wrote one user on social media.
“Caitlin Clark betting on the Olympic team is going to charge them millions and millions of dollars. That’s crazy. Its exposure abroad would be scandalous. Very unexpected that they left her out,” she wrote.
“I’m not from the WNBA and I don’t know any of their names, EXCEPT Catlin Clark. The WNBA was not able to watch the Olympic Games in basketball,” said the user.
However, some social media users pointed out that no WNBA rookie was selected. Clark also didn’t attend the Olympic education camp, which improves the players’ chances of making the roster, because she was betting on the NCAA women’s basketball championship, CBS Sports reports.