In what should’ve been a slam dunk of a marketing move, Team USA might’ve missed the biggest layup of the year by leaving Caitlin Clark off their Olympic roster. As usual, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith didn’t mince words, throwing down a verbal dunk that left the decision-makers reeling.
Let’s set the stage: The USA women’s basketball team, led by the unstoppable A’ja Wilson, just secured their 8th straight Olympic gold medal after a nail-biting showdown with France. You’d think the victory would be enough to silence any critics, right? Wrong. Enter Stephen A. Smith, a man who could find controversy in a cup of decaf coffee.
On his YouTube channel, Smith tore into Team USA’s selection committee like a hungry point guard on a fast break. His gripe? The glaring absence of Caitlin Clark, the phenom who’s been the talk of women’s basketball from college to the WNBA. According to Smith, this wasn’t just a roster decision—it was a marketing catastrophe.
“I’m just saying, how do you leave Caitlin Clark off this team? It’s like leaving Jordan out of the Bulls’ starting lineup in the ‘90s!” Smith exclaimed, with all the dramatic flair we’ve come to expect. “Team USA dropped the ball, plain and simple. They could’ve put women’s basketball on the global map, but instead, they chose to keep their heads buried in the sand.”
Now, if you’re thinking Smith’s criticism was a bit over the top, you’d be right—welcome to his world. But he does have a point. Clark’s star power has been lighting up arenas across the country, and her presence in Paris could’ve been the catalyst for a surge in WNBA viewership. Instead, she was left to enjoy a well-deserved vacation, sipping piña coladas while Team USA fought off the French.
Smith didn’t even demand that Clark play big minutes. He likened her potential role to that of Tyrese Haliburton on the men’s team—a key piece, yes, but not necessarily the one driving the bus. “If the men’s team can have Haliburton, the women’s team could’ve had Clark. It’s not rocket science, folks,” Smith concluded with a trademark smirk.
It’s hard to argue with the logic, even if it’s wrapped in a layer of Stephen A.’s signature hyperbole. Over the past year, Clark has become a household name, not just in college circles but in the WNBA as well. The missed opportunity here isn’t just about winning games—it’s about winning hearts and minds, and boosting the profile of women’s basketball on a global stage.
Instead, Team USA played it safe, sticking with the status quo and clinching yet another gold. Sure, it’s a victory, but was it the win they really needed? According to Stephen A., the answer is a resounding “no.”
As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: Caitlin Clark might be off the court, but she’s still at the center of the conversation. And knowing Stephen A., this won’t be the last time he brings it up.
So, what’s next for Clark? Maybe she’ll join the squad for the next Olympics, or maybe she’ll keep dominating the WNBA. Either way, you can bet Stephen A. will be watching—and talking—every step of the way.
