Although Kaitlyn Clark was not named to the first 12 players on the U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team, she still has a chance to represent the Stars and Stripes in Paris.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania said Monday. “Run It Back” on FanDuel TV The Indiana Fever rookie is listed at the top of the reserve list in case one of the 12 players gets injured.
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Indiana Fever’s No. 22 Caitlin Clark celebrates a win during a game against the Washington Mystics at Capital One Arena on June 7, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)
“I’ve heard that Kaitlyn Clark and Breonna Jones are at the top of the alternate list if a replacement is needed for Team USA,” Charania said.
Jones is a two-time All-Star who spent his entire eight-year career with the Connecticut Suns, where he is averaging 13.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game this season.
Reports that Clarke had been dropped from the Olympic team sparked heated debate over the weekend.
Clark was the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft in April after leading Iowa to back-to-back national championships and becoming college basketball’s all-time leading scorer. She was invited to but was unable to attend national training camp in Cleveland after Iowa reached the Final Four.
Connecticut Sun’s Alyssa Thomas (No. 25) and Breonna Jones (No. 42) watch the Sun play against the Atlanta Dream during the 2024 Commissioner’s Cup match at Gateway Center Arena on June 2, 2024 in College Park, Georgia. (Adam Hagee/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Clark has attracted millions of new fans to basketball over the past two years; the Iowa-South Carolina national championship was the most-watched women’s college basketball game of all time; her Fever games have been some of the most-watched in the WNBA this season, not to mention the support she’s received at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis and elsewhere.
WNBA veterans Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner are reportedly set to be on the roster along with Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Jewel Loyd, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young. Alyssa Thomas, Sabrina Ionescu and Kalia Copper will be making their Olympic debuts.
Clarke took a noble stance when asked about being removed from the roster.
“I’m excited for the girls on the team. I know this is the most competitive team in the world and I don’t think it would have mattered whether I was on the team or not,” she said. Athletic“So, I’m excited for them to do well. I’m going to be rooting for them to win the gold medal. I was a kid that grew up watching the Olympics. So, yeah, it’s going to be fun to watch them compete.”
Indiana Fever player Caitlin Clark, wearing number 22, poses for a portrait during her induction press conference at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 17, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Matt Kreiger/NBAE via Getty Images)
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“I’m not disappointed. I think it just gives me a reason to work hard. That’s the dream. Hopefully one day I’ll be there. I think it just gives me a little bit more motivation. Just keep that in mind. And four years from now, when the four years are up, I hope I’ll be there.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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