A Japanese women’s basketball fan tried to criticize the U.S. women’s national team over its decision to leave Caitlin Clark out of the team’s roster for this year’s Paris Olympics.
Spectators wearing half Nets, half Lakers jerseys were seen holding signs mocking the U.S. team’s decision not to allow Clark to wear the red, white and blue.
“We need Caitlin Clark to beat us,” the sign read.
A video posted to X by NBC Sports reporter Kerith Burke also showed several of the U.S. team’s stars noticing the sign as they warmed up before their opening group game against Japan on Monday.
In the end, it looked like the Japanese fans were in on the joke, as the Americans dominated the game and defeated Japan, 102-76.
USA women’s national team stars A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart combined for 46 points, while the Liberty University star added 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
The decision to leave Clark off the Olympic roster has been a source of controversy among basketball fans, and has been used as evidence of some sort of grudge against the rookie sensation.
University of South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, a member of the U.S. Women’s Olympic Basketball Team Selection Committee, told NBC’s Mike Tirico over the weekend that she might have looked at her differently given her performances earlier in the WNBA season.
“As a member of the committee, I have a responsibility to field the best team,” Staley said. “The best players, the best talent. Kaitlyn is just a rookie in the WNBA. [She] It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t the way it is now.
“If I had to do it all over again, the way she’s played, I think she’d have a very good chance of making the team because she’s so much better than a lot of the other players.”
Clarke was spotted relaxing with boyfriend Connor McCaffrey after playing in her first WNBA All-Star game last week.
McCaffrey had shared a photo of the couple on a boat somewhere warm.
