Clark misses out on USA basketball Olympic call

USA Basketball has opted for acquisition successful selecting nan 12 women to correspond nan state astatine this summer's Olympics successful Paris.

Diana Taurasi is group to make her sixth quality astatine nan Games, while 9 different members of nan squad person already won an Olympic golden medal.

There is nary spot for WNBA breakout prima Caitlin Clark.

USA Basketball women's nationalist squad committee chair Jennifer Rizzotti said nan action process had been "challenging and competitive".

"We person selected a squad that we are assured will correspond our state to nan highest modular successful Paris," Rizzotti said.

The 12-strong roster heading to Paris boasts a mixed 15 Olympic golden medals, 18 women's World Cup titles and 55 WNBA All-Star appearances.

Despite being dense favourites arsenic they pursuit an eighth successive Olympic golden medal, immoderate person suggested nan USA person missed a instrumentality by not including rookie Clark.

The 22-year-old enjoyed a trailblazing assemblage profession pinch Iowa and her performances successful nan WNBA person helped boost nan floor plan of women's athletics while smashing attendance and viewing records.

USA Today columnist Christine Brennan said it is simply a "huge missed opportunity" by selectors.

ESPN pundit Stephen A Smith besides criticised nan decision.

"It compromises what your eventual extremity is, which is to elevate nan WNBA brand," said Smith. "How could you beryllium that idiotic and not make that call, erstwhile passim history, Team USA has been, successful part, astir marketing? It's dumb, period."

Clark, speaking connected Sunday, attempted to play down contention and insisted she would beryllium firmly down nan team.

"I cognize it's nan astir competitory squad successful nan world and I cognize it could person gone either measurement - maine being connected nan squad aliases maine not being connected nan team," she said.

"I'm going to beryllium rooting them connected to triumph gold. I was a kid that grew up watching nan Olympics, truthful it will beryllium nosy to watch them.

"Honestly, nary disappointment. It conscionable gives maine thing to activity for; it's a dream. Hopefully 1 time I tin beryllium there."

Meanwhile, Indiana coach Christie Sides expects Clark to turn from nan experience.

"The point she said was, 'Hey, coach, they woke a monster,' which I thought was awesome," Sides said.

"She's young, she's going to person truthful galore opportunities successful nan future."

USA women's hoops squad for 2024 Olympics: Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury), Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx), Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury), Chelsea Gray (Las Vegas Aces), Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury), Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty), Jewell Loyd (Seattle Storm), Kelsey Plum (Las Vegas Aces), Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty), Alyssa Thomas (Connecticut Sun), A'ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces) and Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces)