In a move that left basketball fans scratching their heads and conspiracy theorists spinning tales, Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever’s rookie sensation, was left off the roster for the USA women’s basketball team heading to the Paris 2024 Olympics. As the team aims for an eighth consecutive gold medal, one can’t help but wonder if they left some serious firepower at home. Let’s dive into three stats that might make Team USA reconsider their decision—or at least make them double-check their math.
1. A Five-Game Frenzy: Clark’s Pre-Olympic Showcase
Caitlin Clark didn’t just have a “decent” start to her WNBA career; she came in like a wrecking ball, breaking records and opponents’ spirits alike. In the five games leading up to the All-Star break, Clark scored 109 points and dished out 64 assists. To put that in perspective, she became the first player in league history to notch 100+ points and 60+ assists over a five-game span. Clark’s feat isn’t just impressive—it’s historic. In fact, only four times has a player scored 90+ points and 50+ assists in five games, and Clark has done it three times herself. The only other player to join her in this elite club? Courtney Vandersloot of the New York Liberty.
It’s safe to say, if Clark had been called up for the Olympics, she would have arrived in Paris ready to dazzle, baguette in one hand, basketball in the other.
2. Assisting Her Way to Greatness
If assists were a currency, Caitlin Clark would be the WNBA’s richest rookie. Averaging 8.2 assists per game, she’s leading the league in dimes. Her 213 assists this season are on pace to shatter the rookie record of 225. Clark’s knack for threading the needle with her passes has been nothing short of magical, making defenders look like they’re playing a game of Twister rather than basketball. She’s not just a scorer; she’s a playmaker, orchestrating the game like a maestro conducting a symphony—except her baton is a basketball, and her music is pure magic.
3. The Clark Effect: A Boost in Viewership
The WNBA has seen a surge in viewership and attendance this season, and a big part of that is the “Clark Effect.” With her on the court, Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis has been the hottest ticket in town, averaging 16,680 fans per game in the 10 home games before the break. Imagine the buzz if she had been on the Olympic roster. The thought of Clark leading Team USA could have sent viewership through the roof, with fans around the world tuning in to watch her jaw-dropping plays. Instead, we’ll have to settle for watching her light up the WNBA while pondering what could have been in Paris.
So, as Team USA prepares to chase another gold medal, fans and pundits alike are left wondering why one of the league’s brightest stars was left in the dark. Whether it was a clerical error, an oversight, or just plain old politics, one thing is clear: Caitlin Clark’s absence from the Olympic team is the biggest mystery since the Mona Lisa’s smile. And if the USA stumbles in Paris, they might just wish they had taken a closer look at these eye-popping stats.
