Caitlin Clark, an Indiana Fever rookie guard, did not make the 2024 United States Olympic squad, but she does not appear to be taking it personally.
#IndianaFever No. 1 pick Caitlin Clark on not being picked for Team USA:
“No disappointment. I think it just gives you something to work for. That’s a dream. Hopefully one day I can be there. I think it’s just a little more motivation. You remember that.” | @TheAthleticWBB pic.twitter.com/EF1yNMUBR3
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) June 9, 2024
“I think it just gives you something to work for,” Clark told James Boyd of The Athletic on Sunday. “That is a dream. Hopefully, one day I’ll be there. I believe it provides a little more motivation. You remember that. Hopefully, when four years roll around, I’ll be there.”
Although Clark is helping the WNBA break attendance and viewership records, the first overall pick seemed unlikely to make the cut owing to Team USA’s guard depth. The roster includes stars like Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury), Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty), and Chelsea Gray (Las Vegas Aces).
“I’m not shocked Clark didn’t make it given the other guards who were ahead of her in the USA Basketball talent pool,” Alexa Philippou of ESPN wrote. “Taurasi was not going to be left out if she was healthy. And, presuming Gray is ready to play (she has yet to play in the WNBA this season as she recovers from an injury sustained in the WNBA Finals last autumn), it will be more difficult for a rookie guard like Clark to break through.”
While Clark does not appear to be upset by the snub, expect her to use it as motivation, which should help her improve as a player.
“She got the call on the bus,” Fever head coach Christie Sides told Chloe Peterson of the Indianapolis Star. “She texted me to let me know, and I just tried to keep her spirit up.” And she said, ‘Hey, coach, they roused a monster,’ which I thought was fantastic.”
Clark had 30 points for the second time this season in an 85-83 win over the Washington Mystics on Friday. Perhaps she’ll provide another great performance against the Connecticut Sun on Monday.
