{"id":623,"date":"2024-06-01T20:13:51","date_gmt":"2024-06-01T14:43:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/sports\/?p=443466"},"modified":"2024-06-01T20:13:51","modified_gmt":"2024-06-01T14:43:51","slug":"why-caitlin-clark-is-a-no-brainer-for-team-usa-womens-olympic-roster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/sports\/other-sports\/why-caitlin-clark-is-a-no-brainer-for-team-usa-womens-olympic-roster\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Caitlin Clark is a no-brainer for Team USA women\u2019s Olympic roster"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the countdown to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris ticks away \u2013 set to ignite on July 26 \u2013 the final roster for Team USA women\u2019s basketball remains a tantalizing mystery. But fear not, hoop enthusiasts, for amidst the speculation and suspense, there\u2019s one undeniable truth: Caitlin Clark deserves a spot on that squad.<\/p>\n

Sure, the roster reveal isn\u2019t slated until early June, but anticipation is already reaching fever pitch. And why wouldn\u2019t it? With the growing popularity of college basketball and the WNBA, the stage is set for another monumental leap forward for women\u2019s basketball in the United States. Ratings are soaring, and the Olympic stage promises to be a prime showcase for the sport\u2019s ever-evolving prowess.<\/p>\n

In a recent interview, Lisa Leslie \u2013 a titan of the game with four Olympic gold medals to her name \u2013 left no room for doubt when asked about Clark\u2019s candidacy: \u201cOne hundred percent. One thousand percent. I can\u2019t even let you get the question out. I don\u2019t know how you leave the country without her.\u201d<\/p>\n

But as the saying goes, the path to glory is seldom without its thorny hurdles. Team USA faces the daunting task of whittling down its roster to the chosen few. Will Clark clinch her spot among the elite? Let\u2019s unpack the reasons why she\u2019s a slam dunk for selection.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Who is on Team USA women\u2019s roster?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
PLAYER<\/td>\nPOS.<\/td>\nHT.<\/td>\nWNBA TEAM<\/td>\nPAST OLYMPICS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ariel Atkins<\/td>\nG<\/td>\n5-8<\/td>\nWashington Mystics<\/td>\n2020<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shakira Austin<\/td>\nF<\/td>\n6-5<\/td>\nWashington Mystics<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aliyah Boston<\/td>\nF<\/td>\n6-5<\/td>\nIndiana Fever<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chelsea Gray<\/td>\nG<\/td>\n5-11<\/td>\nLas Vegas Aces<\/td>\n2020<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brittney Griner<\/td>\nC<\/td>\n6-9<\/td>\nPhoenix Mercury<\/td>\n2016, \u201920<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rhyne Howard<\/td>\nG<\/td>\n6-2<\/td>\nAtlanta Dream<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sabrina Ionescu<\/td>\nG<\/td>\n5-11<\/td>\nNew York Liberty<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jewell Loyd<\/td>\nG<\/td>\n5-10<\/td>\nSeattle Storm<\/td>\n2020<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kelsey Plum<\/td>\nG<\/td>\n5-8<\/td>\nLas Vegas Aces<\/td>\n2020, 3 vs. 3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Breanna Stewart<\/td>\nC<\/td>\n6-4<\/td>\nNew York Liberty<\/td>\n2016, \u201920<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Diana Taurasi<\/td>\nG<\/td>\n6-0<\/td>\nPhoenix Mercury<\/td>\n2004, \u201908, \u201912, \u201916, \u201920<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A\u2019ja Wilson<\/td>\nF<\/td>\n6-5<\/td>\nLas Vegas Aces<\/td>\n2020<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jackie Young<\/td>\nG<\/td>\n6-0<\/td>\nLas Vegas Aces<\/td>\n2020, 3 vs. 3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Absolutely indisputable indeed! Caitlin Clark\u2019s impact on women\u2019s college basketball has been nothing short of phenomenal, with her presence contributing to unprecedented ratings for the sport. Just take the national championship game between Iowa and South Carolina, which drew a staggering 18.9 million viewers \u2013 a testament to Clark\u2019s star power and the growing interest in women\u2019s hoops.<\/p>\n

And let\u2019s not overlook the surge in WNBA viewership, where Clark and fellow rookies like Cameron Brink and Angel Reese have injected fresh excitement into the league. Their emergence has undoubtedly played a role in setting new records for viewership, laying the groundwork for a seamless transition to the Summer Olympics.<\/p>\n

Drawing a parallel to the iconic Michael Jordan\u2019s debut at the 1984 Summer Olympics might seem ambitious, but hear me out. While the circumstances aren\u2019t identical \u2013 that team comprised solely of college players \u2013 the buzz generated by Jordan\u2019s Olympic stint undeniably set the stage for his legendary NBA career. The same could hold true for Clark, whose inclusion on Team USA would undoubtedly boost ratings for the Olympics and further elevate interest in the WNBA.<\/p>\n

Imagine the scenario: Clark donning the red, white, and blue, driving ratings for the Olympics while simultaneously piquing curiosity about the WNBA. It\u2019s a win-win situation, with the potential to propel women\u2019s basketball to unprecedented heights.<\/p>\n

As for concerns about distraction or disruption to Team USA\u2019s winning streak, let\u2019s be real: this is a squad accustomed to dominating on the global stage. With seven consecutive gold medals and an unblemished record in Olympic competition since 1992, they\u2019ve proven time and again that they can handle any challenge that comes their way.<\/p>\n

So, mark my words: if Caitlin Clark secures her spot on the roster, Team USA women\u2019s basketball will not only break records but also captivate audiences like never before. And hey, a little extra excitement never hurt anyone \u2013 especially when it comes to celebrating the prowess of these incredible athletes on the world stage.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Caitlin Clark\u2019s WNBA stats show she is ready for Olympics<\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\n

The Athletic brought up an intriguing point ahead of the training camp on May 7, suggesting that including Caitlin Clark on the roster could stir up some debate among the committee. The traditional notion of \u201cpaying your dues with Team USA\u201d might clash with Clark\u2019s lack of experience in senior team camps. However, with all 13 players deserving of a spot in Paris, it\u2019s evident that making the final roster decision won\u2019t be an easy task. Yet, despite the valid concerns, it feels like the perfect time to enlist Clark\u2019s talents for Team USA.<\/p>\n

Clark has already demonstrated her prowess at the WNBA level, showcasing an impressive stat line through nine games that places her among the league\u2019s elite. Her ability to contribute across multiple categories sets her apart, aligning her with other young stars like Young and Ionescu who are vying for a spot on the team.<\/p>\n

But what truly sets Clark apart is her electrifying three-point shooting, a skill that could provide Team USA with yet another potent long-range threat. While her 3-point percentage may not top the charts like Plum or Taurasi, her capability as a viable shooter adds another dimension to the team\u2019s arsenal.<\/p>\n

While it\u2019s true that controversies have been rare for the Team USA women\u2019s basketball roster, the decision to leave off a talent like Clark could potentially stir up some lingering questions down the line. Just as fans still ponder the omissions of Isiah Thomas from the iconic 1992 \u201cDream Team\u201d and the limited playing time for LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony in 2004, leaving Clark off the roster could create unnecessary speculation.<\/p>\n

As the driving force behind a transformative year for women\u2019s basketball, Clark\u2019s inclusion in the Olympic roster seems not only fitting but essential. It\u2019s about more than just the competition; it\u2019s about celebrating the game\u2019s growth and inspiring a new generation of fans. Twenty years from now, do we want to look back and wonder why Clark wasn\u2019t part of that historic moment? The answer seems clear: she belongs there, front and center, as a beacon of the sport\u2019s bright future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As the countdown to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris ticks away \u2013 set to ignite on July 26 \u2013\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":294,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[3817],"class_list":["post-623","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-other-sports","tag-caitlin-clark"],"reading_time":"6 min read","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/sports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/623","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/sports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/sports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/sports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/294"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/sports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=623"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/sports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/623\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/sports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=623"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/sports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=623"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/sports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=623"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}