Indiana Fever Caitlin Clark (22) - Wendell Cruz/USA TODAY Sports
With the 2024 Summer Olympics starting in a little over a month from now, it is hard to believe that the best player in the WNBA will not be playing with the team there.
Not by her choice, and by no means something that she certainly can control.
USA Basketball’s announcement to leave Caitlin Clark off Team USA has many fans who are irate.
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why:
What She Would Have Brought to the Games
Clark played for the Iowa Hawkeyes before being selected first overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA draft.
She ended her college career as the NCAA Division 1 All-time leading scorer and was named National Player of the Year twice.
Clark’s rise to quick fame also put the WNBA on the map for the first time in league history. TV ratings have soared with games featuring the Fever rookie.
How awful is it going to be for NBC as well? By not including Clark on the roster, the broadcasting conglomerate will see their TV ratings decrease and the game’s attendance.
And what about the merchandise? Jerseys, teeshirts, sweatshirts, etc. Look at all the money that would have brought in.
Additionally, her presence brought a name back to the WNBA and an increased interest in women’s sports as a whole.
Budding Rivalry or Jealously?
As in any sport, seeing rivalries between players or teams is good. It brings on the competition. But once it becomes personnel or harmful to a player, that draws the line.
Especially when the foul has nothing to do with the play.
This happened when Chicago’s Chennedy Carter decided to hip-check Indiana’s Clark during a game on June 2 for no apparent reason.
Carter was charged with a flagrant 1 foul.
It Is another Major Foul, or is It?
Not again.
But this time, it was Chicago Sky player Angel Reese.
The incident happened in the third quarter of the game they played against each other on June 16.
Reese took it upon herself to slap Clark in the head while trying to block her shot. In doing so, Clark was sent smashing to the floor.
Reese was charged with a flagrant 1 foul, too.
After both of these intentional fouls, the Indiana Fever must get an enforcer in place to protect their number one player on the court.
It’s high time that the Indiana Fever head coach, Christie Sides, realizes that Clark can use some help on the court.
Not Everyone Dislikes Clark
With all the advanced levels of physicality and expertise in today’s WNBA, LA Spark’s Cameron Brink understands the intensive probing that the 22-year-old is experiencing while fitting in.
“The most tired narrative is that the vets are against the rookies,” the Stanford alum told Dime magazine. “This old-school versus new-school narrative – and the narrative that the rookies need to be perfect. I feel like Caitlin Clark has that the worst right now.”
“We’re expected to be perfect. We were drafted to high-drafting teams coming off of losing seasons, which is fine. It’s a learning process.”
“But people expect us to be perfect, and it’s freaking exhausting. I feel like we learn how to tune it out, but still, it’s unrealistic, and it kind of just shows that people don’t know basketball.”
Many other athletes from the sports world have been tuning in with their comments on what she adds to the WNBA.
However, one statement stood out, making the most potent and influential quote. It was none other than NBA Star LeBron James.
He went on to say:
“If you don’t rock with Caitlin Clark game your’re just a FLAT OUT HATER!!!! Stay far away from them people!! PLEASE.”
As Clark continues to light it on the basketball court, breaking many records, she has also gained the support of Adam Levine, the lead singer for Maroon 5.
During one of their performances in Indianapolis, Levine wore Clark’s Fever jersey while performing. He candidly told the audience how he obtained her jersey.
“This was a hard f*****g jersey to get,” Levine said.
Clark’s jerseys sold out immediately after she was drafted, so it wasn’t surprising that Levine had difficulty finding one.
How Do You Leave the Best Player in the WNBA Out of the 2024 Olympics?
While Clark is among the top vote-getters for the WNBA All-Star game, she continues to set notable milestones that no one in league history has accomplished.
She became the quickest player in WNBA history to reach 200 points, 75 rebounds, and 75 assists (completing it all in her first 15 games).
With all the hard work, accomplishments, league records, and dedication Clark gives to the WNBA, I know she would be one of my choices for the 2024 WNBA Olympic Team.
To read another interesting Sports story, please check out:
https://theforkball.com/6-ufl-players-who-earned-contracts-by-nfl-teams/
