Caitlin Clark Likely Won’t Play for Team USA at the Paris Olympics—and the Online Debate Is Getting Heated

Caitlin Clark is not headed to the 2024 Paris Olympics, according to multiple reports.

On June 8, an anonymous source shared Team USA’s 12-player women’s basketball roster with the Associated Press—and Caitlin Clark’s name was not on it. Instead, the team reportedly features more seasoned WNBA talent, including five-time gold medalist Diana Taurasi.

Taurasi, who has been criticized for previous statements about this year’s rookie class, will reportedly be joined by fellow Olympians A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Brittney Griner, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd, Chelsea Gray. Olympic newcomers Alyssa Thomas, Sabrina Ionescu, and Kahleah Copper will also be included alongside former members of Team USA’s 3×3 basketball team Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young.

Clark’s omission from the list comes as a shock to many fans of the superstar rookie, though it’s important to note that she was unable to attend the national training camp because it conflicted with the NCAA’s Final Four. “People that are on that roster are people that I idolize and have idolized growing up,” Clark said at the time. “Just to be extended a camp invite is something you have to be proud of and celebrate and enjoy.”

Still, many believe the NCAA’s all-time scoring leader should have been added to the roster anyway, especially after sinking seven 3-point shots in the Indiana Fever game against the Washington Mystics on June 7. That game sold out all 20,333 seats of Capital One Arena, making it the highest-attended regular season game in WNBA history.

“She just knocked down 7 3s and is the #1 pick but can’t even get a bench spot on the USA roster, insane,” one user posted on X.com, receiving 2,500 likes.