When USA Basketball released its 12-player roster for the women’s team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, plenty of basketball fans were surprised to see Caitlin Clark’s name excluded from the list. Clark — the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer — was coming off a 30-point performance when the roster was announced, and it sparked a massive debate about decision.
Clark, though, is not among those disappointed. Instead, she’s going to use the exclusion as motivation.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the Indiana Fever rookie was asked about USA Basketball’s decision. Clark took the approach of wishing the selected players well and hoping they win gold in Paris. She also said that she understood the decision given how difficult it is to narrow down a stacked U.S. talent pool to just 12 players.
Caitlin Clark reacts to not being selected for USA Basketball’s Olympic Team pic.twitter.com/R0lHEAeDwu
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) June 9, 2024
Clark said:
“I’m excited for the girls that are on the team. I know it’s the most competitive team in the world. I know it could have gone either way — me being on the team, me not being on the team. And so I’m excited for them. I’m going to be rooting them on to win gold. I was a kid that grew up watching the Olympics. So, it’ll be fun to watch them.”
She continued when asked about her level of disappointment:
“Honestly, no disappointment. It just gives me something to work for. It’s a dream. Hopefully one day I’ll be there. I think it’s just a little more motivation. You remember that and hopefully in four years, I can be there.”
It will also be a much-needed break after playing basketball for 10 months. Fans especially loved how Clark handled being left off the roster.
This was how Twitter/X reacted
Nothing but class from Caitlin Clark in her first comments after being left off the Olympic team. Still no official comment from either USA Basketball or the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee on the controversial decision. https://t.co/o5RtqqXv9S
— Christine Brennan (@cbrennansports) June 9, 2024
Caitlin could not have handled this situation any better. https://t.co/FipD4RHrt0
— Rebecca Lobo (@RebeccaLobo) June 9, 2024
She's the only one that's been acting normal about any of this stuff since the season started. https://t.co/AWgw1GmmZU
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) June 9, 2024
Seems to be built for this level of spotlight and scrutiny. She’s just been 100% normal through all of this. https://t.co/19AXkxcnxu
— Nate Jones (@JonesOnTheNBA) June 9, 2024
As good as Caitlin Clark is on the court, she crushes her media sessions. Class and grace personified. https://t.co/glya8VtTuj
— Brian Martin (@TheBMartin) June 9, 2024
This may have won me over. Even if she lying, this is how you play the game and respond to this, ESPECIALLY mentioning that other women got the same call to not be on the team. #wbb #wnba https://t.co/rdE1C0zdl8
— C. Christopher Chase Jr. (@thatchrischase) June 9, 2024
And that’s how you answer that https://t.co/FbZMMB1BWE
— Rob Markman 💭 (@RobMarkman) June 9, 2024
Classy response from Caitlin Clark about not being selected for Team USA's women's basketball team. https://t.co/hiugY54qCH
— Rob Tiongson (@RobTiongson) June 9, 2024
She’s sooo good. https://t.co/i4OJjpD7vZ
— Andee (@andeeOT33) June 9, 2024
there has not been a single misstep https://t.co/gnBCzkagvV
— Pratik (@PatelESPN) June 9, 2024
Once again, Caitlin totally chill about a fake controversy that talking heads got mad about on her behalf. https://t.co/drEk8TdqxP
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) June 9, 2024
