After the USA Basketball Men’s Team defeated Serbia in their Olympic Group Phase opener on Sunday, the USA Basketball Women’s Team followed with a convincing win over Japan on Monday. 
Led by Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson, Team USA defeated Japan 102-76 despite making just four of their 20 three-point attempts.
While this poor shooting did not cost Team USA on Monday, some fans are concerned their lack of outside shooting could be an issue later in the Paris Olympics. Under an Instagram post from ESPNW, the network’s women’s sports page, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark was trending: Fans believe her outside shooting would help Team USA.
“Could have used CC’s shooting,” a fan commented.
“Wow if the WNBA only had a three point shooter they could have brought,” another fan commented with three laughing emojis.
While there were several comments like these, there were also fans pushing back against the idea Clark is the answer to Team USA’s shooting woes.
“I watched the second half and if they would’ve brought Caitlin they would’ve had to change the whole game plan because her fans wanna see her shoot instead of pass. She’ll be representing the country next time for sure though,” one comment read.
From her lengthy list of collegiate records to the television ratings she brought the game, Caitlin Clark has been something to behold. That is of course before we even touch on her selection as the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s WNBA Draft, her monumental introduction to the league – more ratings followed – and the recent assists record that she set. To that end, it was shocking, to say the least, when Clark’s name was omitted from Team USA’s Olympic roster for Paris 2024.
Dawn Staley admits Caitlin Clark should be in Paris
For some the comments will come as vindication, for others they will be the cause of frustration. For Caitlin Clark herself, one can only guess. Whatever the case, the fact is that a senior member of the USA Basketball women’s national team committee has admitted that Clark’s snub was a mistake. Speaking in a brief interview during the Olympics on Sunday, one of college basketball’s best coaches, Dawn Staley, gave an honest take on Clark’s exclusion and she basically said what we were all thinking.
Even though CC was cool with it, her fans were pissed … with many calling out the selection committee over the apparent snub.
Team USA stood by the decision, though … with honchos explaining the reasoning behind looking elsewhere.
“When you base your decision on criteria, there were other players that were harder to cut because they checked a lot more boxes,” chair Jen Rizzotti said.
The women’s national basketball team is one of the greatest international teams in the Olympics … with a 72-3 record and seven-straight gold medal wins
The women’s national basketball team is one of the greatest international teams in the Olympics … with a 72-3 record and seven-straight gold medal wins.