“Hopefully one day I can be there. I think it’s just a little more motivation,” the WNBA star said after failing to make the U.S. women’s basketball team.
Caitlin Clark has no hard feelings about not making the U.S. women’s basketball team for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
While speaking with reporters following a practice on June 9, the 22-year-old Indiana Fever guard said she has “no disappointment” about not being selected for Team USA. “I’m excited for the girls that are on the team,” Clark remarked, as reported by ESPN. Recognized by many as the most popular women’s basketball player in the country, she added, “I know it’s the most competitive team in the world, and it could have gone either way — me being on the team or not. I’m going to be rooting for them to win gold. I grew up watching the Olympics, so it’ll be fun to watch them.”
“Honestly, no disappointment. It just gives me something to work for; it’s a dream. Hopefully one day I can be there. I think it’s just a little more motivation. You remember that. Hopefully when four years come around, I can be there,” Clark continued.
Team USA has brought home the gold every four years since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. In April, the squad’s selection committee chair Jennifer Rizzotti told The Associated Press that Clark was on the shortlist to make the U.S. women’s basketball team even before she made her debut in the WNBA.
Clark said USA Basketball officials informed her before the 12 team members’ names were released over the weekend in advance of the Games, which kick off next month in Paris.
“They called me beforehand, which was really respectful, and I appreciated that,” Clark told reporters, according to ESPN. “They did the same for every girl who made the team or didn’t. There were many players in the Olympic pool, so they had to make quite a few calls.”
Clark also mentioned that she is looking forward to a bit of a break amid her busy schedule. “Absolutely, it’s going to be really nice,” she said.
“I’ve loved competing every single second. But it’s going to be a great month for my body to rest, get healthy, and just have a little time away from basketball and the craziness of everything that’s been going on, to find some peace and quiet for myself,” Clark added.
“But then additionally, it’s a great opportunity for us to work and get better. A great opportunity for me to get in the weight room. To work on the court … at things that I want to improve on that I maybe didn’t have time for going from college to the pro season,” she continued.
“So I’m looking forward to it. But at the same time, we still have a month of games ahead with a lot of opportunities to win. That’s where my main focus is.”
Rather than selecting the popular rookie, the women’s basketball roster will consist almost entirely of Olympic veterans, The Athletic reported over the weekend.
USA Basketball has not officially released the 12-person Paris Olympics lineup, but it has been reported to include A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Alyssa Thomas, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Sabrina Ionescu, Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper, and Brittney Griner.
Thomas, Copper, and Ionescu are reportedly the only three players heading to Paris as first-time Olympians, according to The Athletic.
USA Basketball did not immediately respond when previously contacted for comment.
The upcoming event will mark Griner’s first time playing internationally since her 10-month detainment in Russia.
