Caitlin Clark has spoken publicly for the first time about being left off the U.S. Olympic team for the 2024 Paris Olympics, displaying maturity in expressing her hopes for a veteran team.
But Clark was a bit more forthright with Fever coach Christy Sides.
“‘Coach, they woke up a monster,'” Syed told reporters about the text message he received from Clark about the Olympic cuts.
“I thought it was amazing,” Sides continued of the young star’s reaction.
Clark’s popularity has only grown since her time at the University of Iowa and into her professional days, but she has received countless criticism from fans and media for not being selected for the U.S. Women’s National Team.
Barstool founder Dave Portnoy called it “the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“These people are so stupid,” Portnoy added. “Never complain about women’s pay again. Get that team flying commercially. Stupid as hell.”
Sides also was saddened to hear that the former No. 1 draft pick had joined a long list of stars who were overlooked in the WNBA.
“Obviously I’m a little disappointed. She’s my player,” Sides said. “That’s the hardest team in the world to build, you know? It’s a tough team. She’s young. I think she’ll have a lot of opportunities in the future.”
Clark’s enduring popularity was reportedly a factor in the decision, as the team feared fan reaction to Clark’s potentially limited playing time among a veteran roster that includes Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Jewel Loyd and Chelsea Gray.
“I’m excited for the girls that are on the team,” Clark said Sunday, in her first comments since the roster was announced. “I know that as a team, they’re the most competitive team in the world, and I know it could have gone either way whether I was on the team or not. I’m excited for them to do well, and I’m rooting for them to win the gold medal. I’m a kid that grew up watching the Olympics, so it’s going to be fun to watch them do well.”
However, the month off will pay off big for Clark.
The former University of Iowa star had little time to rest between the end of her collegiate career, in which she played in back-to-back national championships, and the start of her WNBA career.
