Caitlin Clark NEVER wants to use ‘star power’ to be on the US Olympics team; wants to ‘earn it’

Caitlin Clark candidly opened up about earning her stripes instead of using 'star power' after being left off Team USA in the summer.

Caitlin Clark NEVER wants to use ‘star power’ to be on the US Olympics team; wants to ‘earn it’

Caitlin Clark wants to earn her stripes to play for Team USA

Caitlin Clark, one of the most electrifying players in basketball, was at the center of a heated debate when she was omitted from the Team USA basketball team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Her exclusion, despite her rookie season’s remarkable performance, raised eyebrows among fans and critics alike. After much discourse, Clark is finally ready to set the record straight about her exclusion.

Many argued that Clark’s star power and popularity should have guaranteed her a spot. However, she was left off the squad in favor of seasoned veterans like Chelsea Gray and Diana Taurasi, to name a few.

YouTube video

In an interview with TIME’s Sean Gregory, Clark cleared the air on her exclusion, especially rejecting the notion of her merit by popularity, expressing her desire to earn her place with on-court merit.

FS Video

I don’t want to be there because I’m somebody that can bring attention. I love that for the game of women’s basketball. But at the same time, I want to be there because they think I’m good enough…That whole narrative kind of upset me. Because that is not fair. It’s disrespectful to the people that were on the team, that had earned it and were really good. And it’s also disrespectful to myself.

Caitlin Clark said

The buildup to this moment stemmed from Clark’s meteoric rise in basketball, transitioning from a record-breaking college career at Iowa to a Rookie of the Year campaign with the Indiana Fever. As her dominance continued from college to professional basketball, her fanbase grew larger and larger, demanding that the revolutionary star find a spot in the exclusive and high-profile Team USA roster.

In the second half of her rookie WNBA season, Caitlin Clark demonstrated the caliber of play that might have warranted her inclusion. Averaging 23.4 points and 8.9 assists post-Olympic break, she shattered the single-season WNBA assist record and led the Fever to their first playoff appearance since 2017. Her All-WNBA First Team selection further cemented her status as one of the league’s elite guards.

Caitlin Clark reveals key difference between NCAA and WNBA

One of the defining features of Caitlin Clark’s rookie season was her adjustment from being the highest scorer in college basketball history to becoming a star on a middling WNBA franchise like the Indiana Fever. Reflecting on her struggles and adjustments, she noted a stark difference in defensive strategies between the NCAA and WNBA.

Professional players and coaches—this is no disrespect to women’s college basketball—are a lot smarter. If you go back and watch the way people guarded me in college, it’s almost concerning. They didn’t double me; they didn’t trap me, they weren’t physical.

Caitlin Clark told TIME

Clark pointed out that the simplified defensive schemes in college often allowed her to dominate without facing the sophisticated strategies she now encounters in the WNBA. This shift required her to adapt quickly, as opponents applied constant ball pressure, guarded her full-court, and exploited any weaknesses in her game.

These challenges initially impacted her shooting, as she struggled with sub-30% three-point accuracy early in the season. However, Caitlin Clark’s resilience shone through. By the end of the season, she raised her shooting percentages significantly, finishing with 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game.

Her improved efficiency and playmaking proved pivotal in the Fever’s playoff push and established her as a cornerstone of the franchise. As she prepares for her second season, Clark is poised to reach even greater heights, proving that her on-court talent, not popularity, will define her legacy.