A top USA Basketball official confirmed this week that Indiana Fever rookie star Caitlin Clark had been left off the women’s Olympic squad for the forthcoming Paris games.
Jen Rizzotti, chair of the selection committee, later explained to the Associated Press that the choice was made in accordance with established selection protocols.
“Here are the basketball criteria that we were assigned as a committee. And how do we assess our guys based on that?” Ms. Rizzotti spoke. “Some players were more difficult to cut because they checked so many more boxes. Then it comes down to position, style of play for [coach] Cheryl [Reeve], and occasionally a vote.”
Since 1996, the United States women’s national team has won gold in seven consecutive Olympic Games, and there is no shortage of talent heading to the upcoming Olympics.
Ms. Rizzotti acknowledged Ms. Clark’s rising popularity—which drew millions of new fans to the sport throughout her record-breaking college career with the Iowa Hawkeyes—but maintained that it played no role in the decision-making process.
“It was not the responsibility of our committee to determine how many people would watch or root for the United States. It was our responsibility to put together the greatest team we could for Cheryl [Reeve],” she stated.
“It would be irresponsible for us to talk about her in a way other than how she would impact the play of the team.”
Twelve Americans will compete in the Olympics: Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Grey, Brittney Griner, Sabrina Ionescu, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Alyssa Thomas, A’ja Wilson, and Jackie Young.
According to USA Basketball, the team members have won 15 Olympic gold medals, 18 FIBA Women’s World Cup championships, and 55 WNBA All-Star appearances.
Caitlin Clark #22 for the Iowa Hawkeyes
Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes observes an open practice ahead of the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Final Four at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 4, 2024.
Ms. Clark, the WNBA’s top draft pick in April, told reporters that she will support for the squad “to win gold.”
When asked if she was sad about not being on the team, the 22-year-old grinned but appeared unconcerned.
While Ms. Clark will not be in Paris, Brittney Griner will play international basketball for the first time since being released from a Russian prison in December 2022. Ms. Griner was arrested for narcotics smuggling at a Russian airport near Moscow after officials discovered cannabis oil in her suitcase, which she said she had packed accidentally. She was sentenced to nine years in jail in August of 2022. However, months of negotiations by the Biden administration resulted in her release in a prisoner swap for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
The United States women’s team will play an exhibition game versus Germany in London on July 23, ahead of their first game at the 2024 Paris Olympics on July 29. In the group stage, the team will face Japan, Belgium, and Germany.
The Summer Olympics will take place in Paris from July 26 to August 11, 2024.
