Team USA may have unleashed a force by not selecting Caitlin Clark for Olympics

INDIANAPOLIS — There are few teams, if any, Caitlin Clark hasn’t made in her life.

Team USA’s Olympic team is one of them.

Indiana Fever coach Christie Sides revealed Sunday after practice that they were on the team bus when Clark — the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer and the No. 1 pick in the 2024 Draft — recently found out that she didn’t make the cut to represent the U.S. at the Paris Olympics.

Her response?

“’Hey, coach, they woke a monster,’” Sides said, reciting Clark.

#IndianaFever HC Christie Sides said they were on the bus when Caitlin Clark found out she didn’t make Team USA. Clark then told her, “Hey coach, they woke a monster.”

I asked Sides how much more “monster” there is to wake up.

“That’s pretty scary, right?” | @TheAthleticWBB pic.twitter.com/3egzCyJBA8

— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) June 9, 2024

Although an official roster has yet to be announced, Clark was not one of the 12 players selected, sources briefed on the decision said Saturday. Clark confirmed the decision Sunday, saying she recently received a call from USA Basketball that her first Olympic experience will have to wait.

“Honestly, no disappointment,” Clark said. “I think it just gives you something to work for. That’s a dream. Hopefully one day I can be there.

“I think it’s just a little more motivation. You remember that. Hopefully in four years, when four years comes back around, I can be there.”

Only four players have ever made the Olympic team the same year they finished their college careers: Diana Taurasi in 2004, Candace Parker and Sylvia Fowles in 2008, and Breanna Stewart in 2016.

More from #IndianaFever’s Caitlin Clark on not making the Olympic roster:

“There’s still a lot of positives in the time that I’m gonna have off. …”

Asked if she’d play as an injury replacement, she said it would be “a great opportunity” but was noncommittal.

“A lot of ifs.” pic.twitter.com/sjIiONLsAr

— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) June 9, 2024

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