As the 2024 Summer Olympics draw closer, Team USA is gearing up for a potential third consecutive gold medal in women’s basketball. Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner is preparing to contribute her talents to the team, but recent discussions have centered around the omission of rising star Caitlyn Clark from the roster.

Griner, who has previously secured two Olympic gold medals, commented on the tough decisions faced by the USA Basketball selection committee. Speaking on Tuesday, Griner emphasized the difficulty of selecting just 12 players from a pool of exceptional talent. “I don’t want to be on that committee,” she said, acknowledging the hard choices that the committee has to make each year. “It’s tough. I think anybody that’s on this team can win, but we’ll see how it goes in the future.”

The final roster for Team USA was revealed, featuring a mix of veteran players and current stars. In addition to Griner, the roster includes future Hall of Famer Diana Taurasi, reigning WNBA Finals MVP A’ja Wilson, New York Liberty teammates Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, and Las Vegas Aces guards Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young. Other notable players include Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas, Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier, and Seattle Storm playmaker Jewell Loyd.

Jin Rosati, the chair of the selection committee, addressed the controversy surrounding Clark’s exclusion. Rosati clarified that Clark’s marketability and popularity were not factors in the decision-making process. “It would be irresponsible for us to talk about her in a way other than how she would impact the play of the team,” Rosati stated. “Our focus was on creating the best team for Coach Cheryl Reeve.”

Despite the media frenzy surrounding her omission, Clark has responded with grace. The Indiana Fever rookie expressed no personal disappointment and instead viewed the situation as motivation. “Honestly, no disappointment,” Clark said. “It gives you something to work for. Hopefully one day I can be there.” She added, “I’m excited for the girls who are on the team. I’ll be rooting them on to win gold.”

At 26 years old and in her fifth WNBA season, Clark is the least experienced player among those selected for Team USA. Her current performance, with averages of 16.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6 assists per game, reflects solid contributions, though her shooting percentages and turnover rate suggest room for improvement. As the Indiana Fever struggles near the bottom of the standings, Clark’s potential to shine with USA Basketball remains high.

USA Basketball CEO Jim Tully expressed optimism for Clark’s future involvement, stating, “We really hope that she’s a big part of our future going forward.” As Clark continues to develop her skills and adapt to the professional level, her contributions to the national team may become more prominent in future international competitions.