- Cheryl Reeve and Team USA would prefer experienced veterans for the games
- The US is looking for its eighth consecutive Olympic basketball gold medal in Paris
According to a report, WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark is not expected to be on a plane to Paris this summer.
The Indiana Fever rookie will reportedly miss the 12-player roster for the 2024 Summer Olympics in the French capital despite being the WNBA’s No. 1 Draft pick.
Instead, head coach Cheryl Reeve and the selection committee would prefer veterans like A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, according to The Athletics.
Clark was one of 14 players called up to training camp with Team USA in April, but was unable to attend because it came in the middle of Iowa’s run to the NCAA championship game.
“You always want to grow up and be on the Olympic team, but luckily for me I have the opportunity to possibly not do that because I want to be at the Final Four and play basketball with my team,” Clark said after her had received an invitation. .
WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark reportedly won’t be on a plane to Paris this summer
The Indiana Fever rookie will reportedly miss Cheryl Reeve’s 12-man squad
“But if not, I’ll be there. People on that list are people I idolize and idolized growing up. Just receiving a camp invite is something to be proud of, celebrate and enjoy.”
While at Iowa, Clark became the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I basketball. She also became one of the biggest names in American sports.
She was subsequently selected by the Fever with the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft and averaged 16.8 points on 37.3 percent shooting, 6.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game in 12 starts.
She scored a career-high 30 points on 7-of-13 three-point shooting in the Fever’s 85-83 win over the Washington Mystics on Friday night.
However, Reeve has reportedly favored experience in her squad as Team USA look to defend their gold in Paris.
The selection committee would favor veterans like A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart (R).
According to The Athletic, Wilson, Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Alyssa Thomas, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Sabrina Ionescu, Chelsea Gray and Kahleah Copper are expected to be included in the roster.
The WNBA season will be interrupted from July 21 to August 14 for the Americans to open the Group C tournament against Germany, Japan and Belgium.
The US will kick-start its quest for another medal against the Japanese on July 29.
Team USA is eyeing its eighth consecutive Olympic basketball gold medal – and 10th overall – in Paris.