INDIANAPOLIS — There are few groups, if any, Caitlin Clark hasn’t made in her life.
Workforce USA’s Olympic workforce is considered one of them.
Indiana Fever coach Christie Sides revealed Sunday after follow that they have been on the workforce bus when Clark — the NCAA’s all-time main scorer and the No. 1 decide within the 2024 Draft — lately came upon that she didn’t make the reduce to symbolize the U.S. on the Paris Olympics.
Her response?
“’Hey, coach, they woke a monster,’” Sides mentioned, reciting Clark.
#IndianaFever HC Christie Sides mentioned they have been on the bus when Caitlin Clark came upon she didn’t make Workforce USA. Clark then instructed her, “Hey coach, they woke a monster.”
I requested Sides how way more “monster” there may be to get up.
“That’s fairly scary, proper?” | @TheAthleticWBB pic.twitter.com/3egzCyJBA8
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) June 9, 2024
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Though an official roster has but to be introduced, Clark was not one of many 12 gamers chosen, sources briefed on the choice mentioned Saturday. Clark confirmed the choice Sunday, saying she lately acquired a name from USA Basketball that her first Olympic expertise should wait.
“Actually, no disappointment,” Clark mentioned. “I believe it simply provides you one thing to work for. That’s a dream. Hopefully at some point I will be there.
“I believe it’s just a bit extra motivation. You keep in mind that. Hopefully in 4 years, when 4 years comes again round, I will be there.”
Solely 4 rookies have ever made the Olympic workforce: corridor of famer Rebecca Lobo in 1996, Diana Taurasi in 2004, Candace Parker in 2008 and Breanna Stewart in 2016.
Extra from #IndianaFever’s Caitlin Clark on not making the Olympic roster:
“There’s nonetheless quite a lot of positives within the time that I’m gonna have off. …”
Requested if she’d play as an harm substitute, she mentioned it might be “a terrific alternative” however was noncommittal.
“Plenty of ifs.” pic.twitter.com/sjIiONLsAr
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) June 9, 2024
In passing on the 22-year-old Clark, USA Basketball in the end leaned towards a extra veteran and completed roster that includes Taurasi, Stewart, A’ja Wilson, Brittney Griner, Alyssa Thomas, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Younger, Sabrina Ionescu, Chelsea Grey and Kahleah Copper. The youngest gamers in that group are Ionescu and Younger, who’re each 26. Ionescu is a two-time All-Star and two-time All-WNBA Second-Workforce honoree, whereas Younger can also be a two-time All-Star, made the All-WNBA Second Workforce final yr and was named the league’s Most Improved Participant in 2022.
Clark is conscious of the expertise and benefit of the gamers chosen over her, calling the Olympic squad “essentially the most aggressive workforce on the earth.” The 12-woman roster combines for 18 championship rings, 4 league MVPs, seven Finals MVPs, 42 all-WNBA alternatives and 55 All-Star alternatives. Workforce USA can also be 70-3 all-time in Olympic play, hasn’t misplaced an Olympic contest since 1992 and hasn’t misplaced a match sport total since 2006. This system is eyeing its eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal, which might break a tie with the boys’s aspect (1936 to 1968) for essentially the most consecutive Olympic workforce gold medals in historical past.
“Everyone knows how gifted that workforce is,” Clark mentioned. “You take a look at that roster, (there are) quite a lot of gamers I’ve already had the chance to play (in opposition to) on this league which can be simply so good, and I do know they’re gonna go on the market and dominate, and I’m gonna be watching and cheering for them. It’ll be quite a lot of enjoyable.”
Requested if she’d contemplate becoming a member of the workforce as an harm substitute, Clark mentioned it might be “a terrific alternative” however was noncommittal. She added that Workforce USA is already “in fairly good palms” with the 12 gamers who have been initially chosen.
Whereas Clark mentioned she was excited to look at her countrywomen, her coach made it clear that the self-proclaimed “monster” would fairly be enjoying alongside them.
Caitlin Clark shared a message with Fever head coach Christie Sides after discovering out she didn’t make Workforce USA Girls’s Basketball Olympic roster 😤
by way of @RomeovilleKid pic.twitter.com/5b8DqCmQ0Z
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) June 9, 2024
“That’s fairly scary, proper?” Sides mentioned of Clark utilizing her Olympic omission as motivation. “She’s probably the most aggressive those who I do know. However she’s a employee, and that’s what she’s gonna do. This simply gave her one other alternative to get within the fitness center and do extra work.”
Clark is averaging 16.8 factors, 6.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds via 12 WNBA video games. She was named the WNBA Rookie of the Month for Could after main all rookies in factors per sport, area targets made, 3-point area targets made, free throws made and minutes performed.
After being held to only three factors — her career-low in school and the WNBA — in a loss at New York on June 2, Clark bounced again 5 days later by nailing a career-high seven 3s en path to tying her career-high with 30 factors in a win at Washington. It nonetheless hasn’t been easy crusing for Clark, who’s taking pictures simply 37.3 p.c from the sector and leads the league with 5.6 turnovers per sport.
Even earlier than her professional profession started, Clark was considered one of 14 gamers to obtain an invitation to the U.S. nationwide workforce’s remaining Cleveland-based coaching camp in April forward of the Summer season Video games. The rookie might have had a greater probability to make the Olympic workforce had she performed straight with and in opposition to the gamers within the pool. Nonetheless, though Clark was in Cleveland on the time, she was unable to attend the camp as a result of Iowa superior to the Last 4. The Hawkeyes in the end misplaced within the nationwide championship in opposition to undefeated South Carolina.
Regardless of the short turnaround from her illustrious school profession and her highly-anticipated professional debut, Clark nonetheless needed to symbolize her nation within the Olympics. However she’s not complaining about having a midseason pause to recharge and refocus after the Fever’s staggering begin. Indiana performed 11 video games in 19 days to start the season, essentially the most compact schedule since Washington performed 11 video games in 20 days to open the 2007 marketing campaign. The Fever will play its final sport earlier than the Olympic break at Dallas on July 17 and can resume play Aug. 17 at residence in opposition to Phoenix.
“It’s gonna be very nice,” Clark mentioned concerning the anticipated break. “I’ve liked competing each single second, but it surely’s gonna be a terrific month for my physique to initially get relaxation and get wholesome, and simply get a little bit time away from basketball and the craziness of every part that’s been occurring and simply discover some peace and quiet for myself.
“However then moreover, it’s a terrific alternative for us to work and get higher.”
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(Picture: G Fiume / Getty Pictures)
