In a twist that has basketball fans scratching their heads and stroking their chins, Indiana Fever’s rookie sensation Caitlin Clark finds herself leading the WNBA in assists but somehow sitting out the upcoming Paris Olympics. Yes, you read that right. Clark, whose historic rookie season has been a statistical spectacle, was shockingly absent from the Team USA roster. The news has sparked debates, with everyone from fans to legends weighing in.
On a recent episode of The Gold Standard podcast, WNBA icon Lisa Leslie didn’t mince words when asked if she’d suit up for Team USA in an emergency. Her reply? “No, they should definitely call Caitlin Clark; they should call Angel Reese… and Arike Ogunbowale; I don’t know how they left the country without her.” Leslie’s quip, dripping with the kind of sarcasm that only a legend can deliver, highlights the surprising snubs that left some of the league’s brightest stars at home.
Leslie, always the sage, dropped a bit of wisdom on the complexity of making the national team. “The committee has a tough job,” she said, diving into the behind-the-scenes nuances. “It’s not just about basketball. It’s about chemistry; it’s about sometimes players showing up for different camps that build up to the Olympics… It’s not just about talent.” Ah, the elusive “chemistry” factor—a mysterious concoction of intangibles that apparently requires more than just dazzling on-court performances.
Clark, known for her laser-guided passes and court vision that could rival an eagle’s, was notably absent from Team USA’s training camp. The reason? Her Iowa squad’s deep run in the NCAA tournament kept her otherwise occupied. Leslie subtly hinted that this lack of camp time might have contributed to Clark’s exclusion, emphasizing that it’s not just about raw talent but also about the ability to meld into the team fabric.
And let’s not forget, the USA Women’s National Team roster is, to put it mildly, stacked. The lineup reads like a basketball fantasy draft: Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Jewell Loyd, Aliyah Boston, and Rhyne Howard. With such a powerhouse lineup, it’s easy to see how even a rising star like Clark could get lost in the shuffle.
As the dust settles, fans are left pondering the what-ifs. What if Clark had attended the training camp? What if the selection committee valued assists as much as star power? In any case, the conversation around Team USA’s selections is far from over, and if there’s one thing Leslie’s comments have done, it’s ensured that Clark’s name stays firmly in the spotlight—right where it belongs.
