Caitlin Clark is a polarizing figure—you can love her or hate her, admire her Iowa roots or disdain them, appreciate the media’s obsession with her, or find it excessive. Regardless of your stance, one thing is undeniable: with Clark on the 2024 US Olympic women’s basketball team, the sport and its often-overlooked players would have finally received the widespread attention they deserve.
Entering the Paris games with a national sensation like Clark, the top storylines for the American team—and for many international reporters—would have prominently featured her alongside other star athletes like Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky. Clark’s ability to draw record-breaking TV ratings and sell-out crowds, as she has done in the NCAA and her early WNBA career, could have catapulted US women’s basketball to the global prominence it has long deserved.
However, despite her remarkable achievements and potential to elevate the sport, Clark will not be heading to Paris unless a current player withdraws or is injured. This decision by USA Basketball overlooks the opportunity to attract a broader audience, including casual sports fans who have become enamored with Clark’s performance and charisma.
Clark’s presence in Paris would have introduced countless new viewers to the entire US women’s basketball team, featuring other stellar players like Breanna Stewart and Brittney Griner. Her appeal could have inspired young girls worldwide, just as she has done in the US. Unfortunately, her exclusion from the team means that these potential fans will remain unengaged, and the sport will continue to struggle for the recognition it deserves.
Sources within the US basketball community suggest that concerns about how Clark’s fans would react to her limited playing time on a star-studded roster influenced the decision to leave her off the team. If true, this reveals a tension within the women’s basketball establishment towards this emerging multi-million-dollar sensation. The decision not to include Clark, despite her clear merit and record-breaking statistics, reflects a missed opportunity to grow and promote the game at all levels.
Clark’s exclusion will likely dominate conversations at the Olympics. Media attention will inevitably question her absence, especially if the team struggles or faces challenges. Despite not being the best player in the league, Clark’s importance and impact are undeniable, as evidenced by her impressive statistics and the intense defensive pressure she faces as a rookie.
In her first 10 WNBA games, Clark has scored over 150 points, grabbed 50 rebounds, and made 50 assists—a feat only previously achieved by Sabrina Ionescu. She became the first rookie to record 30 points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals, and three blocks in a single game, joining the ranks of Diana Taurasi, Breanna Stewart, and Angel McCoughtry. Yet, USA Basketball scheduled her tryout during the Women’s Final Four, denying her a fair chance to compete for a spot.
This decision by USA Basketball to exclude Clark from the Olympic team is a significant oversight. Clark has demonstrated her ability to draw fans and media attention, breaking barriers for women’s basketball. Her absence in Paris represents a missed chance to elevate the sport to new heights globally.
In conclusion, Caitlin Clark’s exclusion from the 2024 US Olympic women’s basketball team is a profound misstep. It denies the sport the visibility and respect it richly deserves and misses the opportunity to inspire a new generation of fans. The decision underscores the need for a more progressive approach in promoting women’s basketball on the world stage.
