WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark said she’s “not disappointed” about being left out of the women’s national team for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The U.S. team roster has yet to be announced, but sources familiar with the decision have told multiple outlets, including NBC News, that the team heading to the Olympics will be mostly made up of veteran players, including Phoenix Mercury players Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi.
Clark said he had been informed of the decision before going to press.
“I’m excited about the girls on the team,” Clark told reporters Sunday, “I know that as a team, they’re the most competitive team in the world, and I know that it could have gone either way whether I was on the team or not.”
The Indiana Fever guard said he was happy for the players who were selected.
“I’ll be rooting for them to win the gold medal,” she said. “I was a kid who grew up watching the Olympics, so it’ll be fun to watch them compete.”
When asked if he was disappointed, Clark said: “Honestly, I’m not disappointed.”
“I think it just gives you a reason to try,” she said. “That’s the dream. Hopefully one day I’ll be there. I think it just gives you a little bit more motivation. Remember, four years from now, when four years are up, hopefully I’ll be there.”
American women have won a gold medal at every Olympic Games since 1996.
A Team USA spokesman said Saturday that no official announcement had been made yet.
The report sparked a fierce debate online, with some saying Clarke still doesn’t deserve the honor of playing on the Olympic team, and others arguing that her exclusion is a missed opportunity to bring more attention to the sport.
Clark averages Her five turnovers per game and 67 total giveaways were the most in the league. Clark was the WNBA’s No. 1 overall pick in April.
