Caitlin Clark reacted to her absence from the U.S. Olympic team after she and the WNBA All-Stars claimed victory over the Americans on Saturday night in Paris.
The superstar and rookie were among the key players on the WNBA All-Stars team, along with Angel Reese and Arike Ogunbowale, who defeated Team USA 117-109 as they prepared for the Olympic Games later this month.
Clark’s rejection of coach Cheryl Reeves’ Olympic team sparked outrage among WNBA fans and pundits.
And after her victory over the players selected to make the trip to France instead of her, the 2024 No. 1 draft pick was asked if the outcome gave her any sense of vindication.
“No,” the Indiana Fever star answered bluntly when asked after Saturday’s showdown at the Footprint Center in Phoenix.
Caitlin Clark addressed her absence from the US Olympic team after the All-Stars victory
“They’re really good. They’ve got a lot of talent on that team. Four years ago, I’m pretty sure Team WNBA beat Team USA, [and] they performed well during the Olympic Games.
“It shows how good this league is. It shows how much talent there is in this league and how you have to show up and prepare every night. There are a lot of players who aren’t even here tonight, but could be. It shows how much talent we have.”
Clark showed no sign of bitterness over her absence and stressed that she would continue to support the Stars and Stripes during the Games.
“For me, this is a great opportunity to prepare them for Paris,” she added about the All-Star Games.
“I’m going to support them and cheer them on. I love the Olympics. I’ve loved the Olympics since I was a little kid. They’re going to do great. They’re going to win gold and dominate.”
The U.S. Olympic Basketball Committee preferred WNBA veterans over the superstar rookie.
Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Brittney Griner, Sabrina Ionescu, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Alyssa Thomas, A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young were all called up.
While Clark accepted her omission with good grace and understanding, social media, and particularly some pundits, were not too happy with the rejection.
Clark and the WNBA All-Stars defeated Team USA 117-109 ahead of the Paris Olympics
Team USA, led by Cheryl Reeve (pictured), selected WNBA veterans for the roster
Barstool Sports CEO Dave Portnoy said in an explosive video message on X: “This is about Caitlin Clark not making the Olympic team… how stupid are these women?
“I don’t know who makes the decision, the Women’s Olympic Committee or whoever. I don’t care if you think Caitlin Clark doesn’t belong on this team talent-wise, even though she scored 37 points out of 13, the most in league history for a rookie.
‘It doesn’t matter. These women – and I love women, I’m a pro-ladies man – they’re complaining, they’re crying about equal rights, equal pay, blah blah blah… Hey dummies, for the first time in the history of basketball, you may have the most popular player in the world.
“You can make an argument that Caitlin Clark is the most popular, most chair-raising, singles basketball player in the world. You can make an argument. And you leave her off the Olympic team?
Dave Portnoy (left) was furious about Clark’s (right) absence from the Olympic roster
“It’s not just a showcase for her, it’s a showcase for the sport and the other WNBA players that are on this team. How stupid, how brainless, how idiotic must the people that run this be? It’s one thing after another with her.”
Jason Whitlock also responded angrily, accusing “BLM-LGBTQIA+Silent P Alphabet Mafia fanatics” in a series of angry posts on social media.
Whitlock initially said he was glad Clark would not be competing in the upcoming Games, writing, “Am I the only one glad they left Caitlin Clark off the Olympic team? Now I don’t have to watch a bunch of angry, spoiled feminists who hate America and play basketball.”
But the target of Whitlock’s ire quickly turned from patriotism when he wrote, “They/Them hate Cait. End of story.”