The basketball world has erupted after reports emerged that WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark will not feature in the USA team in Paris for the Olympic Games.
No announcement has been made by USA Basketball on what the final team lists are for Paris, however, an individual speaking on the condition of anonymity confirmed Clark’s absence from the team with ESPN on Sunday (AEST).
Clark has represented Team USA at a younger level but was unable to attend the national training camp in Cleveland earlier this month as she was leading Iowa to the Final Four.
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Clark, now a rookie with the Indiana Fever, attracted millions of new fans to women’s basketball after becoming the all-time scoring leader in NCAA Division I last year.
The decision to omit Clark from the team has sparked major backlash on social media.
Caitlin Clark attempts a three-pointer for the Indiana Fever. NBAE via Getty Images
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy took to X and slammed USA Basketball, labeling it “the dumbest thing [he’s] ever heard.” The tweet had accrued over 54,000 likes overnight.
“How dumb are these people?” Portnoy said.
“I’d rather watch grass grow. I’d rather watch paint dry. I’d rather watch dirt just be moved around because Caitlin Clark is not on the team.
“If she’s there, it’s appointment TV. You people, whoever did this, take your brain, put it in a museum and study it for how dumb you are.”
The U.S women have won every gold medal in women’s basketball since the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
Former Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III called for fans “to stop crying” over the decision, signaling the downside of the ‘Caitlin Clark effect’ on women’s sport.
Griffin urged fans to consider looking solely beyond supporting a solitary player and connect with all the athletes on the team.
“Caitlin Clark is clearly the most popular women’s basketball player in the world,” he said in a video posted to X.
Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever. NBAE via Getty Images
“But she is not better than or earned the opportunity more to be on the team than the women who were selected.
“The US women’s national team will win the gold medal with or without Caitlin Clark even if fewer people watch it (because Clark’s not on the team).”
The US women have won every gold medal in women’s basketball since the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
It is expected that the team will feature five-time gold medalist Diana Taurasi, who will turn 42 on Wednesday (AEST), alongside Phoenix Mercury teammate Brittney Griner.
The Olympics will be Griner’s first time playing with the U.S team since she was detained in a Russian prison in 2022.
Skylar Diggins-Smith (left), Diana Taurasi (centre) and Brittney Griner (right) with their gold medals in Tokyo. Corbis via Getty Images
Veteran stars Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, Naphessa Collier, Jewell Loyd and Chelsea Gray are expected to join the pair in Paris, while Alyssa Thomas, Sabrina Ionescu and Kahleah Cooper prepare to make their Olympic debuts according to ESPN.
Rosters across all sports for Paris were due to the U.S Olympic Committee by June 7 unless a sport’s trials were held after that date.
A sport’s governing body was also eligible to request an extension, which USA Basketball has done according to ESPN’s source.
USA Basketball has not publicly commented on the matter or announced the Olympic team as of the time of publication.