In a twist that left fans scratching their heads and WNBA star Caitlin Clark wondering what could have been, the latest USA Basketball women’s team roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics has stirred up more drama than a reality TV finale. Despite being the brightest star in women’s basketball, the Indiana Fever rookie was left off the team, sparking an outcry among fans.
The cherry on top? Global superstar Beyoncé released a dazzling two-minute promo video showcasing a parade of American athletic royalty—think Simone Biles flipping through the air, Noah Lyles sprinting with flair, and even LeBron James basking in legendary status. But wait, where were the WNBA stars? Absent. Invisible. Not even a cameo.
The glaring omission of the USA Basketball women’s team—eyeing a record eighth gold medal—left fans flabbergasted and fuming. One particularly vocal supporter pointed out the irony: “They told everyone they were fine with little-to-no publicity when they snubbed the biggest name in the sport, so this shouldn’t be a surprise. This is about winning gold, not being marketable, right?”
Cue the social media frenzy, with some fans humorously suggesting that NBC’s snub was a karmic response to the team’s decision to leave Caitlin Clark out. “No doubt they would be had they brought CC along,” quipped one fan, while another trolled the team, saying, “But they wanted all the attention, right? 😂😂😂 Should’ve put @CaitlinClark22 on the team.”
Adding a layer of intrigue to this saga, former WNBA star Lindsay Whalen weighed in, attempting to demystify the selection process. “This is a four-year process to make this team… There’s training camps, there’s practices, there’s Zoom calls, and there’s so much that goes into it,” she explained, noting that Clark and fellow college sensation Angel Reese were busy chasing national championships.
While Whalen’s explanation adds a rational perspective, it doesn’t quite soothe the sting of disappointment. Fans are already looking ahead to the next Olympic cycle, dreaming of a Clark-Reese tandem that might finally bring the star power—and perhaps some much-needed publicity—to the USA Basketball women’s team.
As the drama unfolds, one thing is certain: Caitlin Clark’s absence from both the roster and Beyoncé’s promo has left a void that fans, and perhaps the sport itself, won’t soon forget.
