As the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris draw nearer, it was initially thought that Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark wouldn’t be participating for Team USA. With just a few months as a professional, Clark was not expected to join the women’s USA 3×3 Olympic basketball team. Interestingly, an injury to another rookie might pave the way for Clark’s inclusion, though some roster adjustments are necessary. If the team makes the right moves to replace the injured player, Clark’s chances of being called up for the Olympics could be quite high.
The Rookie Injury That Could Open a Spot for Caitlin Clark
The 3×3 Olympic team faced a significant setback earlier this month when Los Angeles Sparks’ Cameron Brink suffered a season-ending ACL injury. As the tallest player on the roster, her absence leaves a substantial gap. To fill Brink’s spot, adding another guard seems logical, and Caitlin Clark appears to be the best fit. The remaining three guards are Atlanta Dream’s Rhyne Howard, Hailey Van Lith from the TCU Horned Frogs, and Cierra Burdick, who has experience with the 3×3 team in past tournaments.
Regarding playing time, Clark first needs to be selected for the squad. However, there’s another injury concern—Howard injured herself just a day after Brink and her participation is also in doubt. Recently seen using a boot and scooter, Howard’s condition makes Clark’s inclusion even more probable due to their similar playing styles. With the Olympics just over a month away, Team USA’s 3×3 first game is scheduled for July 30 against Germany. Given Howard’s injury status, Team USA needs to find her replacement quickly.