WNBA star Caitlin Clark on Sunday shared her reaction to being left out of the women's national team scheduled to compete in the Olympics in Paris later this summer.
Clark, 22, told reporters he received a call from the United States Basketball Association informing him of the decision and said he wished the team well in the tournament.
“I know they're the most competitive team in the world and I know it could have gone either way,” she said. “I'm excited for them and I'm rooting for them to win the gold medal. I was a kid who grew up watching the Olympics and it's going to be fun to watch them compete.”
When asked if he was upset by the verdict, the Indiana Fever guard said, “Honestly, I'm not disappointed.”
“I think it just gives you a reason to try. That's the dream. I hope I can be there one day,” she said. “Four years from now, when the four years from now comes, I hope I can be there.”
USA Basketball has not officially released team rosters and has not yet commented on the decision to remove Clark from the national team.
When asked if he would be willing to help the team if one of the selected players were to get injured, Clark said it would be a “great opportunity” because of the good relationship they have with the United States Basketball Association, but noted his current priority is the Indiana Fever.
“The 12 guys they've selected are really good players so I think they're in a pretty good manager,” Clarke added.
Fever head coach Christy Sides told reporters that Clark found out she had not been selected while on the team bus and texted her to let her know.
“She said, 'Coach, they've woken up a monster,'” Sides recalled.
Syed added that Clark is “one of the most competitive people” he knows, which only motivates him to keep getting better.
“She's a hard worker and she's going to continue to be that way,” Sides said. “This just gives her another opportunity to get in the gym and work out more.”
The decision to drop Clark from the team sparked mixed reactions across the sports world.
USA Today reporter Christine Brennan reported that two veteran USA basketball players believe the decision was made in part because team officials were concerned about how fans would react to Clark getting limited playing time.
According to sources cited by The Athletic, the 12 players who will represent the United States in Paris on the women's basketball team are A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Alyssa Thomas, Napheesa Collier, Jewel Lloyd, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Sabrina Ionescu, Chelsea Gray and Kalia Copper.
Clark was named the WNBA Rookie of the Month for May.
The women's basketball team has won gold medals in the past seven Olympic Games and is expected to win another gold medal this year.
