A Japanese women’s basketball fan brought a Caitlin Clark autograph to criticize the U.S. team ahead of Monday’s games at the Paris Olympics.
NBC Sports Bay Area reporter Kerith Burke caught Team USA stars A’ja Wilson and Brittney Griner pointing at the sign as the Americans looked to extend their winning streak in international matches and beat Japan in a rematch of the 2020 Olympic gold medal game.
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Team WNBA player Aleke Ogunbowale (right) celebrates with teammates Kaitlyn Clark (center) and Aaliyah Boston (left) after making a 3-point shot against Team USA during the second half of the 2024 WNBA All-Star basketball game in Phoenix, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
“We need Caitlin Clark to beat us,” the sign read.
Team USA didn’t need any help from Caitlin Clark or anyone else to beat Japan, as the U.S. won the game 102-76.
Wilson had 24 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks for the Las Vegas Aces. Breanna Stewart had 22 points and eight rebounds for the New York Liberty. Griner, Stewart’s teammate Sabrina Ionescu and Wilson’s teammate Kelsey Plum each scored 11 points for the Phoenix Mercury.
Clark was left out of the Olympic team when it was selected in June, after having only played a handful of WNBA games at the time.
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Team USA sings the national anthem before a match against Japan at Stade Pierre Mauroy in Paris, France on July 29, 2024. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
However, as the season progressed, Clark recorded a triple-double and set the single-game assists record with 19 assists in separate games.
Clark’s performance likely changed Dawn Staley’s mind about the rookie.
“As a member of the committee, I’m responsible for putting together a team that’s made up of the best players, the most talented players,” Staley told NBC. “Kaitlyn was a rookie in the WNBA and she didn’t play badly, but she wasn’t playing like she is now. If I had to do it over again, based on how she played, I think she would have a good chance of making the team because she’s so much better than the other players.”
Team USA’s No. 9 A’ja Wilson watches a game against Team Japan at Stade Pierre Mauroy on July 29, 2024 in Paris, France. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
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“She shoots the ball really well, she’s an elite passer, she has a really high basketball IQ, and she’s got a little more experience in the pro game in the last two months than she had two months ago.”
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