WNBA rookie sensation Caitlin Clark will not be joining the U.S. national team for the Paris Olympics, according to a source. The official roster announcement hasn’t been made, but it will feature 12 veteran players.
Confirmed players include Phoenix Mercury’s Brittney Griner, Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson, and New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart, as reported by NBC News.
“We have not made any official announcement yet,” a Team USA spokesperson stated.
The Athletic first reported Clark’s exclusion. Despite her stellar performance, scoring 30 points and seven 3-pointers in a recent Indiana Fever game, her overall season has been inconsistent.
Clark was named WNBA Rookie of the Month for May, but her shooting accuracy and turnover rate have been problematic. She has a 32.7% success rate for 3-pointers and leads the league with 67 turnovers.
While Clark’s absence is justifiable based on performance, her presence could have boosted the competition’s appeal. Her impact on the WNBA has been significant, drawing large crowds and increasing game viewership.
Clark, the WNBA’s No. 1 pick in April, set a scoring record at the University of Iowa and led the Hawkeyes to consecutive NCAA championship games.
Historically, Olympic teams have included rookies, such as Breanna Stewart in 2016 and Candace Parker and Sylvia Fowles in 2008.
![USA Basketball Snubs Caitlin Clark, Opts for Veterans](https://chanokstudios.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1717920087_743_Caitlin-Clarks-Paris-Dreams-Dashed-by-Team-USA-Decision.jpg)
Clark is not alone in being left off the roster. Other top players, such as Dallas Wings’ Arike Ogunbowale and Los Angeles Sparks’ Dearica Hamby, also didn’t make the cut.
If Clark misses this Olympic opportunity, her next chance will be in 2028 in Los Angeles. Team USA’s first game in the upcoming Olympics is on July 29 against Japan in Lille, France, at 3 p.m. ET.