Caitlin Clark, the WNBA rookie sensation, will not be part of the US women’s Olympic basketball team for the upcoming games in Paris this summer. According to CNN sports analyst Christine Brennan, Clark’s exclusion from the team is due to concerns about her fans’ reaction to limited playing time on a roster packed with talented athletes. USA Basketball has not yet provided any comment on the matter.
On the other hand, the expected roster includes some of the biggest names in women’s basketball like Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi, Breanna Stewart and others who have previously won Olympic gold. Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, had a challenging experience in Russia last year after being detained for drug smuggling charges. Following her release in a prisoner exchange, Griner stated that she would only play basketball abroad for the Olympics.
The US women’s team is set to play an exhibition game against Germany in London before their first game at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The team will compete against Japan, Belgium and Germany in the group stage. Additionally, the USA women’s 3×3 team will feature younger talents like WNBA rookie Cameron Brink and college player Hailey Van Lith alongside veterans like Rhyne Howard and Cierra Burdick. The women’s national team has a history of success, having won gold in seven consecutive Olympic Games since 1996.
