Like everything else involving Caitlin Clark, the decision not to include her on the Olympic roster this summer has sparked controversy and debate.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Monday on the nationally syndicated radio talk show ” “The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show”
Youngkin, a former college basketball player who played four years at Rice University in the 1980s, was asked about Clark’s exclusion from the Olympic team heading to Paris next month.
The sitting governor called the decision “really crazy” and praised Clark.
“At the end of the day, no one can deny the fact that she has completely transformed fan interest and enthusiasm for women’s basketball,” Youngkin said.
The Virginia governor pointed to a recent game between the Mystics and Clark’s Fever near Washington, D.C., which generated so much interest that it was moved to the 20,000-seat Capital One Arena and sold out.
Capital One Arena is home to the NBA’s Wizards.
The Mystics typically play at the 4,200-seat Entertainment and Sports Arena.
“Caitlin Clark is coming to town and they’re moving [the game] “It was a 20,000-seater Capital One and it was sold out. To be honest, the Wizards weren’t sold out, so it’s all down to Caitlin Clark,” Youngkin said. “She deserves to be on the team. I’m not criticizing the other players, they’re all great players, but we’ve had rookies make Olympic teams before, like Diana Taurasi and Candace Parker, who was a rookie.”
“She can be successful as a rookie. She’s changing women’s basketball and should have a place on the team.”
Clark scored just 10 points on 3-of-8 field goal attempts in the Fever’s loss to the Sun on Monday, his fourth-lowest total of the season.
Clarke remained high-minded over the weekend when asked about not being selected for the Olympic squad, saying she was “delighted” for the players who were selected.
“I’m not disappointed, honestly,” Clark said. “I just think it gives me a reason to keep trying. This is a dream and hopefully I’ll be there one day. I think it just gives me a little bit more motivation. I’ll just remember that and hopefully I’ll be there again in four years.”
