In a twist that has left basketball fans scratching their heads and refreshing their social media feeds, Caitlin Clark’s absence from Team USA’s women’s basketball roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics has sparked a social media frenzy. The exclusion of the WNBA’s rising star has fans wondering if there’s some secret vendetta at play—or maybe just an oversight that rivals a missed free throw in the final seconds of a game.
As Team USA coasted to a 102-76 victory over Japan, led by the dynamic duo of Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson, the glaring absence of Clark loomed larger than life. The game, held at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve d’Ascq, France, drew a crowd of 13,040—respectable, but nearly 8,000 short of the average attendance for other women’s games in the tournament. The Spain vs. China game, for instance, packed in a whopping 27,021 fans, leaving many to wonder if the allure of Clark could have filled those empty seats.
Social media, as usual, didn’t hold back. One particularly vocal fan tweeted, “About 100 people care about the USA Women’s basketball team without Caitlin Clark. Omitting her will go down as one of the dumbest USA team selection screwups of all time.” Ouch. Another chimed in with a dash of sarcasm, “Damn, I was told people would watch regardless. As recently as like… yesterday or Saturday lol.”
Clark, for her part, took the high road when asked about her exclusion. “Honestly, no disappointment,” she said, likely with a shrug. “It just gives me something to work for; it’s a dream. Hopefully one day I can be there.” Her nonchalance might be more zen than a pre-game meditation session, but fans aren’t buying it.
While Team USA fans lament what they see as a glaring omission, Clark remains focused on her future. The rookie sensation, who has been setting attendance and viewing records in the WNBA, is already looking ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where she hopes to don the red, white, and blue alongside fellow rookie sensation Angel Reese.
So, did Team USA make a colossal blunder by not including Caitlin Clark, or is this just a hiccup on the road to gold? Only time—and perhaps a few more empty seats—will tell. One thing’s for sure: Caitlin Clark’s star is only rising, and her name will continue to be a hot topic in basketball circles for years to come.
What do you think? Should Team USA have included Caitlin Clark on their roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics? Let us know in the comments section below, and don’t forget to bring your popcorn!
