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WNBA Player Caitlin Clark Alleviates Left Out of Olympic Team
On Sunday, WNBA’s Caitlin Clark expressed her feelings about her exclusion from the women’s national team preparing for the forthcoming Olympic Games in Paris this summer.
Clark, at the age of 22, revealed to the media that she had received a call from USA Basketball indicating their decision. Despite the news, she expressed her good luck wishes for the team’s performance.
Clark’s Reaction to the Decision
“Undeniably, this is the world’s most competitive team, and I was aware that the decision could have swung either way,” Clark shared. “Regardless, I am thrilled for the team and will enthusiastically support their quest for gold. Since childhood, I have been an avid watcher of the Olympics, it will be interesting to observe them in action,” she added.
When asked about her sentiments concerning the outcome, the guard of Indiana Fever remarked, “In all honesty, there’s no disappointment.”
“This gives me something to strive for. It’s a dream that hopefully, one day, I’ll achieve. I look forward to hopefully being a part of it when the opportunity presents itself in four years,” she continued.
USA Basketball has yet to make an official announcement regarding the team selection and has not made any remarks regarding Clark’s absence from the national team.
Possibility of Stepping in For Injured Players
When questioned if she would be ready to step in if one of the selected player suffers an injury, Clark shared that it would be a “fantastic opportunity.” She noted that she has a good relationship with USA Basketball, but her current focus is on the Indiana Fever.
“The chosen 12 are exceptional players, so they’re in quite capable hands,” added Clark.
Fever’s Coach Remarks on Clark’s Exclusion
Christie Sides, the Fever’s head coach, stated that Clark found out about the decision while on the team’s bus and sent her a text message.
Sides recalled, “The thing she said was, ‘Hey, coach, they woke a monster.’”
Sides further commented on Clark’s competitive nature and her commitment to improving herself. “She is a worker and this experience will further motivate her to improve.”
Sport World Reaction
The decision to not include Clark in the team generated mixed reactions in the sports community.
According to USA Today’s Christine Brennan, two U.S. basketball veterans suggested that the decision was partly due to worries about Clark’s fans’ responses to her probable limited playing time in the tournament.
Selected Players for the Women’s Basketball Olympic Team
Based on sources by The Athletic, the 12 players representing the U.S. in Paris for the women’s basketball team are 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.
Clark had been named the WNBA Rookie of the Month for May.
The women’s basketball team has clinched gold in the preceding seven Olympic Games and is anticipated to replicate the success this year.
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