Caitlin Clark Ineligible to Replace Cameron Brink as Fans Debate 3×3 USA Olympic Team
zach bacharContributor IJune 24, 2024
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Fans were confused by USA Basketball’s decision to add Los Angeles Sparks star Dearica Hamby as an injury replacement on the 3×3 women’s team for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportUSA Basketball announces Dearica Hamby has been named to the USA 3×3 Olympic roster, replacing Cam Brink
Dearica is averaging 17.8 PPG, 10.5 RPG and 3.5 APG this season 💪 pic.twitter.com/9MPtYfBLXE
Cameron Brink was initially on the team, although she suffered a season-ending torn ACL during a game against the Connecticut Sun on June 18 and was unable to participate.
Although fans called for Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark to replace Brink, she wasn’t eligible for a spot on the U.S. roster as she did not participate in any prior 3×3 competitions and did not earn any FIBA 3×3 ranking points as a result.
Meghan L. Hall @ItsMeghanLHallUPDATE: Clarity on who *might* qualify for 3×3 with Cameron Brink out.
Left is FIBA eligibility criteria.
Right is all the USA players who are currently top 250 worldwide in FIBA’s 3×3 points system and *could meet* the criteria for consideration.
Hamby is the *likely* pick. https://t.co/mujuzfhPqq pic.twitter.com/kNQBU1wVq2
Even if she was eligible to make the team, it would have been difficult to replace a shot-blocking center such as Brink with a sharpshooting guard such as Clark. Still, fans wanted the standout Fever rookie to earn a spot on the team and wondered why she wasn’t eligible.
Tyler Belawske @TylerBelawskeWhat is Caitlin Clark “too good” to play in the 3×3? It’s an Olympic Team. I’m surprise more people are crying out for her to make this team she did t try out for either! https://t.co/FAOag6q1Vf
ThunderDeuce @deuce_okc”Dearica Hamby” over Caitlin Clark. Okay.
𝙐𝙩𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙖 @NFL_UtopiaWhy not Caitlin?
Thomas Peters @thomasopetersBrink, a rookie, was in the roster but Clark wasn’t?
𝙅𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙧 @JuniorGotNextNo Clark pic.twitter.com/fqtiNQoJbV
E ☀️ @DubMnEWHO?!? Not Caitlin? pic.twitter.com/Yosexv6P7Z
Prop It Like It’s Hot @propitlikeitReally surprised they didn’t use Clark for this. But they needed to replace a forward so really can’t use a guard so it makes sense
Although Clark won’t be making the trip to Paris after she didn’t earn a spot on the 5×5 Team USA roster, she’s still in the midst of an impressive inaugural season with the Fever.
