The USA women’s basketball team has touched down in London for their Olympic prep game against Germany on Tuesday. But guess who’s missing from the star-studded cast? That’s right, the one and only Caitlin Clark.
The Indiana Fever rookie, who’s been on a record-smashing spree in the WNBA, was mysteriously left off the 12-woman roster announced last month. This eyebrow-raising snub has only gotten more attention since Clark and her fellow WNBA All-Stars handed the Olympic squad a reality check last weekend.
As Kelsey Plum, Brittney Griner, and the rest of the team stepped off the bus in London, the absence of Clark was palpably felt by at least one vocal fan on X. “Where’s @Arike_O [Arike Ogunbowale] and @CaitlinClark22? You people are a complete disgrace,” they vented. Ah, the sweet harmony of social media outrage.
Of course, Caitlin Clark isn’t gracing London with her presence after being unceremoniously left off the Olympic roster. Meanwhile, Arike Ogunbowale, another shockingly overlooked talent, was busy being named the All-Star Game MVP on Saturday after lighting up the Olympic squad with 34 points. Clark had a quieter night with just four points but dazzled with 10 assists, showcasing her all-around game.
When asked if the 117-109 victory brought her any sense of vindication, the Indiana Fever star gave a refreshingly blunt response. “No,” Clark stated, leaving no room for drama.
“They’re really good. They have plenty of talent on that team. Four years prior, I’m pretty sure Team WNBA beat Team USA, [and] they were perfectly fine in the Olympics,” she added, with a hint of a smirk. “If anything, it shows how good this league is. It shows how much talent is in this league and how you have to show up and prepare every single night. There are a lot of players that aren’t even here tonight that could be here too. It just shows the amount of talent we have.”
Even without Clark, Team USA boasts a fearsome roster. The last two WNBA MVPs, Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson, are primed to lead the charge in Paris, while the legendary Diana Taurasi will lend her veteran savvy. The 42-year-old is set to make her sixth Olympic appearance, a feat that seemed uncertain due to a leg injury that sidelined her for several games with the Phoenix Mercury.
If Taurasi had decided to rest her seasoned legs, that might have paved the way for Clark—who’s listed as an alternate—to step in. But alas, the alternate remains an alternate.
After their German face-off on Tuesday, the USA women will kick off their Olympic campaign against Japan, followed by bouts with Belgium and Germany again. It’s going to be quite the rollercoaster, with or without Caitlin Clark.
