Caitlin Clark’s name is still being mentioned in WNBA circles, even though she’s on vacation and the USA Basketball Women’s Team has already played its first game in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Many fans thought Clark would have been a good member of this team, especially thanks to her playmaking abilities. After dishing out 10 assists in the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game, even more fans supported this idea.
2024 WNBA All Star Game - Source: GettyWNBA fans re-evaluate Caitlin Clark’s Team USA snub after Chelsea Gray’s impressive assist feat vs Japan (Image credit: Getty)

However, Chelsea Gray put on a show today, assisting 13 teammates in USA’s 102-76 win over Japan. She only scored two points after missing four of her five field-goal attempts, but was the team’s best playmaker, while Sabrina Ionescu was the second-best point guard with five assists.

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After learning about Gray’s impressive performance, fans didn’t hesitate to flood social media with their opinions, with Clark once again becoming a topic of discussion. Some fans ridiculed the speculation that Team USA needed Clark to be successful:

“USA needs caitlin clark ??? 🤨🤨🤨,” one fan asked.

“And people wanted Caitlin Clark lol,” a user commented.

“‘This team needs Caitlin Clark’ man shut up, TEAM USA is up 22,” another fan declared.

Others analyzed strategies after watching the game, while some reasoned why Clark should have been included on the team, despite the roster already having some of the best players in the WNBA.

“Y’all realize they’re only shooting 3’s right? Stop going under screens and make them shoot 2’s and y’all will be up 30,” a fan chimed in.

“Play some defense d*mn,” another fan said.

“They dont need Caitlin Clark to beat them. They do need Caitlin Clark to get that spotlight shined on them. That was the whole point. Team USA will win Gold. But the WNBA wont be any better for it.” A fan said.

Dawn Staley on Caitlin Clark’s snub from Olympic team

Dawn Staley, a selection committee member of USWNT, sat down during an NBC live coverage of the marquee affair to discuss why Clark didn’t make the cut to play for Team USA in the 2024 Olympics:

“As a committee member, you’re charged with putting together the best team of players, the best talent. Caitlin is just a rookie in the WNBA, wasn’t playing bad, but wasn’t playing like she’s playing now.

“If we had to do it all over again, the way that she’s playing, she would be in really high consideration of making the team because she is playing head and shoulders above a lot of people, shooting the ball extremely well. I mean, she is an elite passer. She’s just got a great basketball IQ, and she’s a little more seasoned in the pro game.”

Clark is just starting her professional career, but given all the attention she’s been receiving early on, having her on the roster would have turned a lot of heads.