Caitlin Clark’s exclusion from the 2024 U.S. women’s basketball Olympic team has sparked a whirlwind of debate among online pundits and media critics. Some argue it’s an oversight to leave out a rookie who’s still adapting to the WNBA. Others believe her absence might be beneficial, considering her non-stop basketball schedule since last autumn.
Yet, a rumor is circulating within the chaotic realms of social media, suggesting an alternative scenario that might settle the debates. Increasing numbers of Clark enthusiasts speculate she could switch allegiance from the Stars and Stripes to the Maple Leaf to compete in the Olympics this season.
Why would Clark—a player with extensive experience on U.S. youth national teams—consider such a move? Fan speculation runs high, especially this time of year. The idea of Clark competing against her fellow Americans might excite a segment of her fanbase…though it could be quite exasperating for her.
Regardless of the speculative nature of these discussions, it’s clear that many fans are eager for Clark’s participation in the 2024 Paris Games. Here’s what you need to know about the possibility of Clark representing another nation at this year’s Summer Olympics.
Is it Possible for Caitlin Clark to Play for the Canadian Olympic Team?
Clark isn’t Canadian, and neither are her parents, Anne and Brent. She hails from Iowa, a quintessential Midwestern state often regarded as distinctly “American.” There are no legitimate ties between her and the Canadian national team.
Nonetheless, some have humorously suggested that she could don Canada’s colors at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
If Clark’s parents were Canadian, they could pass their citizenship to Clark, making her eligible as a first-generation descendant of a Canadian national. In such a scenario, she could have represented Canada at the Olympics, as she hasn’t yet participated in a major senior tournament for the United States. Opting to play for Canada would likely mean forfeiting the chance to represent the U.S. in the future, except under extraordinary conditions.
She might have a stronger case for playing for Italy, given her mother’s Sicilian heritage. To do so, she would need to obtain Italian citizenship, which involves proving her maternal grandparents were born in Italy and retained their Italian citizenship prior to her mother’s birth in Iowa.
However, this path seems unlikely for Clark, especially since Italy did not qualify for this year’s Olympic Games.
Was Caitlin Clark Selected for the Olympic Team?
Despite the hype surrounding Clark’s rise in the WNBA, she was not chosen for this year’s Olympic roster. Head coach Cheryl Reeve selected a veteran-heavy team for Paris, featuring only two players under 26: Aces guard Jackie Young and Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu.
Here’s the roster for Team USA heading to France this summer:
| Player | Position | WNBA Team |
|---|---|---|
| Napheesa Collier | F | Minnesota Lynx |
| Kahleah Copper | G | Phoenix Mercury |
| Chelsea Gray | G | Las Vegas Aces |
| Brittney Griner | C | Phoenix Mercury |
| Sabrina Ionescu | G | New York Liberty |
| Jewell Loyd | G | Seattle Storm |
| Kelsey Plum | G | Las Vegas Aces |
| Breanna Stewart | F | New York Liberty |
| Diana Taurasi | G | Phoenix Mercury |
| Alyssa Thomas | F | Connecticut Sun |
| A’ja Wilson | F | Las Vegas Aces |
| Jackie Young | G | Las Vegas Aces |
Where Does Caitlin Clark Come From?
Clark is from West Des Moines, Iowa, roughly two hours from the University of Iowa, where she excelled for four seasons.
She played high school basketball at Dowling Catholic in her hometown, earning numerous honors, including being the state’s leading scorer for two consecutive years, Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year, and Iowa Miss Basketball in her senior year. During her time in West Des Moines, she also secured two gold medals with Team USA: one at the 2017 U16 FIBA Americas Tournament and another at the 2019 U19 FIBA World Cup.
