Caitlin Clark hopes to play for the U.S. Olympic team one day. It just won’t be in Paris next month.
The Indiana Fever rookie confirmed on Sunday that she isn’t on the roster for this year’s Olympics.
“I think it just gives you something to work for,” Clark told reporters after practice. “It’s a dream. Hopefully, one day, I can be there. I think it’s just a little more motivation. You remember that. Hopefully, when four years comes back around, I can be there.”
The next Summer Olympics are in Los Angeles in 2028.
Clark has averaged 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists so far in her young professional career with the Fever.
She wasn’t included on the U.S. roster that was provided to The Associated Press on Saturday by a person familiar with the team. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no official announcement had been made.
The roster includes A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart and Diana Taurasi, who is going for a record sixth Olympic gold medal.
“I’m excited for the girls that are on the team,” Clark said. “I know it’s the most competitive team in the world, and I know it could have gone either way of me being on the team or me not being on the team. I’m excited for them. Going to be rooting them on to win gold. I was a kid that grew up watching the Olympics. It’ll be fun to watch them.”
The U.S. has won every gold medal in women’s basketball starting with the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Clark said she received a phone call letting her know she wasn’t chosen for this year’s team.
“They called me and let me know before everything came out, which was really respectful of them, and I appreciate that,” Clark said. “They did the same for every girl that made the team or every girl that didn’t make the team. There’s a lot of players in the Olympic pool. It wasn’t like I was the only one they had to call. They had to make quite a few calls.”
Beginning with her record-breaking collegiate career at Iowa, Clark has brought millions of new fans to women’s basketball. The U.S. has specific selection procedures in determining who is on the national team that include availability, position played and versatility.
Based on her inclusion in the U.S. national team pool, Clark could be chosen as an alternate if one of the 12 players is injured and can’t play. Anyone in the pool is eligible to be an alternate.
Caitlin Clark, the standout guard for the University of Iowa women’s basketball team, has set her sights on earning a spot on the USA Basketball Olympic team in the future. The talented sophomore has been making waves in the college basketball world with her impressive scoring ability and playmaking skills.
Clark, who hails from West Des Moines, Iowa, burst onto the scene as a freshman last season, averaging 26.6 points, 6.7 assists, and 6.3 rebounds per game. She quickly established herself as one of the top players in the country and was named a first-team All-American by multiple media outlets.
This season, Clark has continued to impress, averaging 27.3 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.9 rebounds per game through the first 17 games of the season. Her scoring ability and court vision have drawn comparisons to some of the greatest players in women’s basketball history.
With her eye on the ultimate prize of representing her country on the Olympic stage, Clark has been working tirelessly to improve her game and showcase her skills to the USA Basketball selection committee. She knows that earning a spot on the Olympic team will be a difficult task, but she is determined to do whatever it takes to make her dream a reality.
In addition to her individual accolades, Clark has also been a key contributor to the success of the Iowa Hawkeyes, leading them to a top-10 ranking in the national polls. Her leadership on and off the court has earned her the respect of her teammates and coaches, who have no doubt that she has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
As she continues to hone her skills and elevate her game, Caitlin Clark is proving that she has the potential to be a future star for USA Basketball. With her talent, work ethic, and determination, there is no doubt that she will be a force to be reckoned with on the international stage in the years to come.