Caitlin Clark’s absence from the 2024 U.S. women’s basketball Olympic roster has ignited fervent debates among fans and pundits. Some argue it’s a grave oversight to exclude a rookie finding her footing in the WNBA, while others see it as a blessing in disguise, considering Clark’s relentless schedule since last autumn. Amidst the noise, a curious rumor is gaining traction on social media: the possibility of Clark donning the Canadian Maple Leaf for the Olympics.
Why would Clark, who has a rich background with U.S. youth national teams, contemplate such a drastic shift? It’s likely a fanciful notion spun by imaginative fans. The idea of Clark competing against her American teammates is an intriguing thought for some of her supporters, even if it might not sit well with her.
Regardless of the source of these speculations, there’s a clear hunger among fans to see Clark in the 2024 Paris Games. Here’s a breakdown of whether Clark could potentially represent another country in this year’s Summer Olympics.
Can Caitlin Clark Represent Canada in the Olympics?
Clark is neither Canadian nor have her parents, Anne and Brent, any ties to Canada. She was born and raised in Iowa, a state often celebrated for its quintessential American values. There are no genuine connections between Clark and the Canadian national team.
Despite this, some have speculated—perhaps in jest—that she could play for Canada in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
If Clark’s parents were Canadian, they could pass down their citizenship to her, allowing her to play for Canada, given she hasn’t competed in a major senior tournament for the U.S. However, choosing to represent Canada would likely mean forfeiting future opportunities to play for the U.S., except under extraordinary circumstances.
Clark might have a more viable path to playing for Italy, thanks to her mother’s Sicilian heritage. She would need to obtain Italian citizenship, which would require proving her maternal grandparents were born in Italy and did not acquire any other citizenship before her mother’s birth in Iowa.
That said, choosing Italy would be an odd move, given that Italy didn’t qualify for this year’s Olympics.
Did Caitlin Clark Make the U.S. Olympic Team?
Despite the excitement generated by her emergence in the WNBA, Clark was not included in the 2024 Olympic roster. Head coach Cheryl Reeve opted for a team heavy with veteran talent, with only two players under 26: Aces guard Jackie Young and Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu.
Here’s the roster for Team USA heading to Paris:
| Player | Position | WNBA Team |
|---|---|---|
| Napheesa Collier | F | Minnesota Lynx |
| Kahleah Copper | G | Phoenix Mercury |
| Chelsea Gray | G | Las Vegas Aces |
| Brittney Griner | C | Phoenix Mercury |
| Sabrina Ionescu | G | New York Liberty |
| Jewell Loyd | G | Seattle Storm |
| Kelsey Plum | G | Las Vegas Aces |
| Breanna Stewart | F | New York Liberty |
| Diana Taurasi | G | Phoenix Mercury |
| Alyssa Thomas | F | Connecticut Sun |
| A’ja Wilson | F | Las Vegas Aces |
| Jackie Young | G | Las Vegas Aces |
Where is Caitlin Clark From?
Clark originates from West Des Moines, Iowa, situated roughly two hours from the University of Iowa, where she shone for four seasons.
She attended Dowling Catholic High School in her hometown, earning numerous accolades, including being the state’s top scorer for two consecutive years and receiving titles like Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year and Iowa Miss Basketball in her senior season. During her time in West Des Moines, Clark also secured two gold medals with Team USA: one at the 2017 U16 FIBA Americas Tournament and another at the 2019 U19 FIBA World Cup.