When the USA Basketball roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics dropped, one glaring omission set the sports world ablaze: Caitlin Clark, the Rookie of the Year and the undeniable star who revived the Indiana Fever’s postseason hopes. Despite a résumé dripping with talent and buzz, Clark’s name was left off the list, prompting heated debates, savage tweets, and a barrage of side-eyes aimed at Team USA’s decision-makers.
While fans have been fiercely defending Clark’s case, Tiffany Hayes, a one-time WNBA All-Star and current 3×3 Olympic competitor for Azerbaijan, decided to wade into the debate. On her recent appearance on The Progress Report, Hayes gave her take on why Clark—and rising stars like Angel Reese—didn’t make the cut.
Her reasoning? There’s a rite of passage, folks. “There are levels to it,” Hayes explained, like a wise sage dropping basketball life lessons. “Everybody who was on that team had to work their way onto that team.”
Translation: If you’re not climbing the Olympic ladder rung by rung, you’re staying grounded. No shortcuts, no elevators—just pure grit and grind.
But here’s where the plot thickens. Many fans weren’t exactly buying it.
Fans React: No Chill Mode Activated
Clark’s supporters, armed with stats, gifs, and unfiltered commentary, clapped back with the precision of a buzzer-beater.
One fan tweeted: “Some players need to be put in their place next season. They can’t keep discrediting the person who’s literally raising their salaries.”
Another chimed in: “It’s wild how they keep telling us there are ‘levels to it,’ but Clark outperformed most Olympic guards. So, what are these levels exactly? A secret handshake?”
Others took a spicier tone, pointing out that Team USA’s oh-so-seasoned roster almost lost a couple of games in Paris. “Girl, they almost blew it with all those AMAZING PLAYERS. STFU,” one fan quipped, expertly blending snark and caps lock.
Some also noted the elephant in the room: the marketing power of Caitlin Clark. “Funny how they never mention her skills and marketability in the same breath. Maybe because they know she’s box office.”
Cheryl Reeve: Don’t Look at Me
Caught in the crossfire was Team USA coach Cheryl Reeve, who quickly distanced herself from the roster drama. In an earlier interview, Reeve clarified she had no say in the final selections.
To prove her point, Reeve shared a personal anecdote about Lynx star Kayla McBride being cut from the roster despite a stellar camp. “If anyone thinks I’m pulling the strings here, just ask K-MAC. I was as blindsided as anyone.”
Basically, Reeve’s message to critics: “Don’t shoot the messenger. I didn’t send the message.”
Clark’s Cool, Fans Aren’t
While fans sharpened their pitchforks, Caitlin Clark took the high road. Instead of throwing shade, she praised the Olympic team’s toughness and admitted it’s the hardest roster to crack.
“I wasn’t disappointed. It’s a goal I’ll work toward,” Clark said, exuding the kind of poise and maturity that makes you wonder if she’s secretly 35.
And let’s be honest—whether Clark’s snub was a result of politics, tradition, or plain bad luck, her Olympic story feels far from over. The 2028 LA Games are on the horizon, and with the way Clark’s trajectory looks, it might be the redemption arc fans are already scripting.
In the meantime, let’s hope Team USA is ready for a season of “put them in their place” performances from Caitlin Clark. If levels exist, she’s about to ascend like it’s a video game with cheat codes.
Final Thoughts: Levels? Or Excuses?
The debate rages on: Should young stars like Clark and Reese wait their turn, or has their on-court brilliance already earned them a spot? For now, fans will keep arguing, players will keep talking, and Clark will keep, well, being Caitlin Clark—a generational talent who lets her game do the talking.
But seriously, Team USA, next time just let her cook.
