Why is Caitlin Clark not playing for the USA basketball women's team in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games?

Caitlin Clark is officially out of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Although she’s been extraordinary during her first season in the WNBA with Indiana Fever, it wasn’t enough to get the call. This is the reason why according to a shocking report by Christine Brennan.

“Two other sources, both long-time U.S. basketball veterans with decades of experience in the women’s game, told USA TODAY Sports that concern over how Clark’s millions of fans would react to what would likely be limited playing time on a stacked roster was a factor in the decision making.”

Meanwhile, the men’s national team is loaded with NBA stars. In fact, LeBron James and other veterans believe this is the greatest spotlight to show they’re the best in the world.

As a consequence, a huge debate has taken over social media. If Caitlin Clark has delivered enormous TV ratings and attendance records due to her talent, the Olympics seemed like a golden opportunity to boost women’s basketball.

Caitlin Clark wouldn’t be called for the 2024 Paris Olympics (Getty Images)

Why is Caitlin Clark not playing in Paris 2024 Olympics?

Christine Brennan also explained that some sort of jealousy could have been part of the equation to leave Caitlin Clark out of the 2024 Paris Olympics. A bad reaction from fans to those possible few minutes for the rookie doesn’t seem to be a very strong argument by the WNBA veterans.

“If true, that would be an extraordinary admission of the tension that this multi-million-dollar sensation, who signs autographs for dozens of children before and after every game, has caused for the old guard of women’s basketball. The two people spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.”

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Team USA explains why Caitlin Clark is out of the Paris 2024 Olympics

However, after that shocking report about Caitlin came out, Jen Rizzotti, Team USA selection committee chair, explained what happened during an exclusive interview with AP.

“Here’s the basketball criteria that we were given as a committee and how do we evaluate our players based on that. And when you base your decision on criteria, there were other players that were harder to cut because they checked a lot more boxes. Then sometimes it comes down to position, style of play for Cheryl (Reeve) and then sometimes a vote.”

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Rizzotti dismissed any chance that the reason why Caitlin Clark is out was jealousy from veterans or a negative reaction from thousands of fans watching from abroad.

“It would be irresponsible for us to talk about her in a way other than how she would impact the play of the team. Because it wasn’t the purview of our committee to decide how many people would watch or how many people would root for the U.S. It was our purview to create the best team we could for Cheryl.”

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