INDIANAPOLIS — There are few groups, if any, Caitlin Clark hasn’t made in her life.
Team USA’s Olympic group is considered one of them.
Indiana Fever coach Christie Sides revealed Sunday after apply that they had been on the group bus when Clark — the NCAA’s all-time main scorer and the No. 1 choose within the 2024 Draft — not too long ago discovered that she didn’t make the minimize to characterize the U.S. on the Paris Olympics.
Her response?
“’Hey, coach, they woke a monster,’” Sides mentioned, reciting Clark.
#IndianaFever HC Christie Sides mentioned they had been on the bus when Caitlin Clark discovered she didn’t make Team USA. Clark then informed her, “Hey coach, they woke a monster.”
I requested Sides how rather more “monster” there’s to get up.
“That’s fairly scary, proper?” | @TheAthleticWBB pic.twitter.com/3egzCyJBA8
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) June 9, 2024
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Although an official roster has but to be introduced, Clark was not one of many 12 gamers chosen, sources briefed on the choice mentioned Saturday. Clark confirmed the choice Sunday, saying she not too long ago acquired a name from USA Basketball that her first Olympic expertise must wait.
“Honestly, no disappointment,” Clark mentioned. “I believe it simply offers you one thing to work for. That’s a dream. Hopefully someday I might be there.
“I believe it’s just a bit extra motivation. You keep in mind that. Hopefully in 4 years, when 4 years comes again round, I might be there.”
Only 4 rookies have ever made the Olympic group: corridor of famer Rebecca Lobo in 1996, Diana Taurasi in 2004, Candace Parker in 2008 and Breanna Stewart in 2016.
More from #IndianaFever’s Caitlin Clark on not making the Olympic roster:
“There’s nonetheless loads of positives within the time that I’m gonna have off. …”
Asked if she’d play as an harm substitute, she mentioned it will be “a fantastic alternative” however was noncommittal.
“A whole lot of ifs.” pic.twitter.com/sjIiONLsAr
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) June 9, 2024
In passing on the 22-year-old Clark, USA Basketball in the end leaned towards a extra veteran and achieved roster that includes Taurasi, Stewart, A’ja Wilson, Brittney Griner, Alyssa Thomas, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Sabrina Ionescu, Chelsea Gray and Kahleah Copper. The youngest gamers in that group are Ionescu and Young, who’re each 26. Ionescu is a two-time All-Star and two-time All-WNBA Second-Team honoree, whereas Young can also be a two-time All-Star, made the All-WNBA Second Team final yr and was named the league’s Most Improved Player in 2022.
Clark is conscious of the expertise and advantage of the gamers chosen over her, calling the Olympic squad “probably the most aggressive group on the earth.” The 12-woman roster combines for 18 championship rings, 4 league MVPs, seven Finals MVPs, 42 all-WNBA picks and 55 All-Star picks. Team USA can also be 70-3 all-time in Olympic play, hasn’t misplaced an Olympic contest since 1992 and hasn’t misplaced a event recreation total since 2006. The program is eyeing its eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal, which might break a tie with the boys’s aspect (1936 to 1968) for probably the most consecutive Olympic group gold medals in historical past.
“We all know the way proficient that group is,” Clark mentioned. “You have a look at that roster, (there are) loads of gamers I’ve already had the chance to play (towards) on this league which are simply so good, and I do know they’re gonna go on the market and dominate, and I’m gonna be watching and cheering for them. It’ll be loads of enjoyable.”
Asked if she’d contemplate becoming a member of the group as an harm substitute, Clark mentioned it will be “a fantastic alternative” however was noncommittal. She added that Team USA is already “in fairly good fingers” with the 12 gamers who had been initially chosen.
While Clark mentioned she was excited to look at her countrywomen, her coach made it clear that the self-proclaimed “monster” would relatively be enjoying alongside them.
Caitlin Clark shared a message with Fever head coach Christie Sides after discovering out she didn’t make Team USA Women’s Basketball Olympic roster 😤
through @RomeovilleKid pic.twitter.com/5b8DqCmQ0Z
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) June 9, 2024
“That’s fairly scary, proper?” Sides mentioned of Clark utilizing her Olympic omission as motivation. “She’s probably the most aggressive folks that I do know. But she’s a employee, and that’s what she’s gonna do. This simply gave her one other alternative to get within the gymnasium and do extra work.”
Clark is averaging 16.8 factors, 6.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds by way of 12 WNBA video games. She was named the WNBA Rookie of the Month for May after main all rookies in factors per recreation, discipline objectives made, 3-point discipline objectives made, free throws made and minutes performed.
After being held to simply three factors — her career-low in school and the WNBA — in a loss at New York on June 2, Clark bounced again 5 days later by nailing a career-high seven 3s en path to tying her career-high with 30 factors in a win at Washington. It nonetheless hasn’t been clean crusing for Clark, who’s taking pictures simply 37.3 % from the sphere and leads the league with 5.6 turnovers per recreation.
Even earlier than her professional profession started, Clark was considered one of 14 gamers to obtain an invitation to the U.S. nationwide group’s remaining Cleveland-based coaching camp in April forward of the Summer Games. The rookie might have had a greater likelihood to make the Olympic group had she performed instantly with and towards the gamers within the pool. However, though Clark was in Cleveland on the time, she was unable to attend the camp as a result of Iowa superior to the Final Four. The Hawkeyes in the end misplaced within the nationwide championship towards undefeated South Carolina.
Despite the fast turnaround from her illustrious school profession and her highly-anticipated professional debut, Clark nonetheless needed to characterize her nation within the Olympics. But she’s not complaining about having a midseason pause to recharge and refocus after the Fever’s staggering begin. Indiana performed 11 video games in 19 days to start the season, probably the most compact schedule since Washington performed 11 video games in 20 days to open the 2007 marketing campaign. The Fever will play its final recreation earlier than the Olympic break at Dallas on July 17 and can resume play Aug. 17 at dwelling towards Phoenix.
“It’s gonna be very nice,” Clark mentioned concerning the anticipated break. “I’ve beloved competing each single second, but it surely’s gonna be a fantastic month for my physique to initially get relaxation and get wholesome, and simply get slightly time away from basketball and the craziness of every thing that’s been happening and simply discover some peace and quiet for myself.
“But then moreover, it’s a fantastic alternative for us to work and get higher.”
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(Photo: G Fiume / Getty Images)
