Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Fever coach Christie Sides spoke on Sunday for the primary time since information broke that the No. 1 total choose had not made Group USA’s ultimate roster for the 2024 Olympics in Paris subsequent month. Whereas Clark was as even-keeled as at all times in her response, Sides gave away her star’s rapid response to the information.
“She acquired the decision on the bus and she or he texted me to let me know and I simply tried to maintain her spirits up,” Sides mentioned. “The factor she mentioned was ‘hey coach, they woke a monster,’ which I believed was superior.”
An official roster announcement isn’t anticipated till Tuesday, however information of Clark’s omission got here out shortly after midnight on Saturday, and the complete roster adopted a couple of hours later. As anticipated, the crew is made up of MVPs, All-WNBA stalwarts and future Corridor of Famers, together with A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Alyssa Thomas, and Napheesa Collier, simply to call a couple of.
The extent of expertise and expertise — no gamers are youthful than 26 — is without doubt one of the fundamental causes Clark mentioned she had “no disappointment” about not making the minimize.
“I’m excited for the ladies which might be on the crew,” Clark mentioned. “I do know it’s essentially the most aggressive crew on the earth and I do know it may have gone both method of me being on the crew, me not being on the crew. I’m excited for them, gonna be rooting them on to win gold. I used to be a child who grew up watching the Olympics, so it’ll be enjoyable to look at them.
“I feel it simply provides you one thing to work for. It’s a dream, hopefully someday I may be there and I feel it’s just a bit extra motivation. You do not forget that and hopefully in 4 years I may be there.”
Clark was invited to the latest coaching camp in April, which might have been her first expertise with the senior nationwide crew, however was unable to take part as a result of Ultimate 4. Even so, she gave herself an actual likelihood to make the squad with a powerful begin to her rookie marketing campaign.
She’s averaging 16.8 factors, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists and is on tempo to be the fifth participant in league historical past to place up a 15/5/5 season. Amongst rookies she’s first in scoring and assists and fourth in rebounds; amongst all gamers she’s thirteenth in scoring, fourth in assists and second in made 3s.
There have been occasions the place she’s struggled with the physicality, nevertheless, and she or he additionally leads the league in turnovers at 5.6 per sport. These elements, mixed with the expertise and expertise forward of her, seem like the explanation she did not make the minimize. Per USA In the present day’s Christine Brennan, Group USA veterans had been additionally involved about how Clark’s legion of followers would react if she was chosen however acquired restricted enjoying time.
Clark didn’t get into any specifics relating to the choice, however she did say that USA Basketball known as to ship the information earlier than it leaked on social media.
If there’s a silver lining for Clark, it’s that she’ll lastly get a break when the WNBA pauses for the Olympics. She’s been enjoying primarily nonstop since her senior season at Iowa started in October. As soon as the Fever wrap up their pre-Olympic schedule July 17, they received’t play once more till Aug. 16.
“Yeah, completely [I’m looking forward to a break],” Clark mentioned. “It’s gonna be very nice. I’ve cherished competing at each single second, however it’s gonna be an excellent month for me and my physique to initially get relaxation and get wholesome and get a little bit time away from basketball and the craziness of all the things that’s been happening. Simply discover some peace and quiet for myself.”
There’s nonetheless a slight risk that Clark may make the crew as an harm substitute. Notably, Chelsea Grey was chosen however has not performed in a sport in eight months attributable to a foot harm and it’s unclear when she’ll be again. As among the best playmakers on the earth, Clark could possibly be subsequent in line if the veteran level guard isn’t wholesome in time.
After all, that’s an enormous “if,” and whereas Clark mentioned it will be a “nice alternative,” she’s targeted on the Fever and making an attempt to climb out of eleventh place.
“If USA Basketball wants one thing, I’ve an excellent relationship with them, however the 12 they’ve chosen are actually nice gamers so I feel they’re in fairly nice fingers,” Clark mentioned. “Cheryl [Reeve] is a good coach, the choice committee did a extremely good job.”
This story was initially revealed by CBS Sports on June 9, 2024.
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