Caitlin Clark will not be going to Paris subsequent month, and he or she stated there’s “no disappointment” after she was left off the U.S. Olympic roster.
The Indian Fever rookie confirmed on Sunday that she wasn’t chosen to characterize Team USA at this yr’s summer season Olympics.
“I feel it simply provides you one thing to work for,” Clark informed reporters after practice. “It’s a dream. Hopefully someday I may be there. I feel it is just a bit extra motivation. You do not forget that. Hopefully, when 4 years comes again, I may be there.”
Clark, who introduced thousands and thousands of latest basketball followers to the WNBA after a record-breaking collegiate profession, was not included on the U.S. roster that The Associated Press reported on Saturday. No official announcement has been made.
The AP, which obtained the total roster from an individual acquainted with the choice, reported the U.S. is anticipated to area a star-packed crew because it seeks one other gold medal.
The U.S. girls have received each gold medal in girls’s basketball because the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Team USA is anticipated to take five-time gold medalist Diana Taurasi for a sixth Olympics. She might be joined by Phoenix Mercury teammate Brittney Griner, who will mark the primary time enjoying internationally since she was detained in a Russian jail for 10 months in 2022. Griner stated she would solely play overseas for the Olympics.
“I’m excited for the women which can be on the crew,” Clark stated. “I do know it is essentially the most aggressive crew on this planet, and I do know it might have gone both means of me being on the crew or me not being on the crew. I’m excited for them. Going to be rooting them on to win gold. I used to be a child that grew up watching the Olympics. It’ll be enjoyable to look at them.”
Also on the roster might be Olympic veterans Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd and Chelsea Gray, The AP reported. Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young, who helped the U.S. win the inaugural 3×3 gold medal on the Tokyo Games in 2021, can even be on the crew.
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Quite a lot of first-time Olympians might be on the crew with Alyssa Thomas, Sabrina Ionescu and Kahleah Copper. All three performed on the American crew which received the World Cup in Australia in 2022.
Clark stated she obtained a telephone name letting her know she wasn’t chosen for this yr’s crew.
“They referred to as me and let me know at the start got here out, which was actually respectful of them, and I admire that,” Clark stated. “They did the identical for each woman that made the crew or each woman that did not make the crew. There’s lots of gamers within the Olympic pool. It wasn’t like I used to be the one one they needed to name. They needed to make fairly a number of calls.”
The U.S. has particular choice procedures in figuring out who’s on the nationwide crew that embody availability, place performed and flexibility.
Based on her inclusion within the U.S. nationwide crew pool, Clark could possibly be chosen as an alternate if one of many 12 gamers is injured and might’t play. Anyone within the pool is eligible to be an alternate.
