When Caitlin Clark’s name was left off the final Team USA roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics, fans were stunned. The rookie sensation was lighting up the WNBA and drawing record-breaking viewership. But behind the scenes, the decision may have already been made – long before Clark had a chance to prove herself.
According to Christine Brennan’s new book, On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports, one of the 12 coveted Olympic roster spots wasn’t actually up for grabs. It had already been promised to 42-year-old Diana Taurasi, a five-time Olympic gold medalist and legend of the game.
Only 11 Spots Were Actually Open – And Clark Knew It
Brennan reports that Taurasi’s spot was considered a “farewell present” by USA Basketball, with decision-makers committed to including her barring a major injury. That meant the rest of the pool – including rising stars like Clark – were fighting for just 11 spots.
Taurasi, ultimately, had a limited role in Paris. She was benched during the quarterfinals and didn’t play at all in the nail-biting 67-66 gold medal win over France. Meanwhile, Clark – who was averaging 16.8 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game in her first WNBA season – stayed home.
The decision wasn’t just about stats. Brennan’s reporting suggests USA Basketball had concerns about the potential backlash from Clark’s massive fanbase if she didn’t play significant minutes. “They didn’t want to deal with the social media storm,” she wrote.
Committee chair Jen Rizzotti stood by the process, telling the Associated Press that the team was chosen based on “basketball criteria.” According to Rizzotti, it came down to who checked more boxes, positional needs, and Coach Cheryl Reeve’s preferred playing style.
USA Basketball did offer Clark a spot on the 3×3 Olympic team – a lesser-known competition with far less media spotlight. She turned it down.
The U.S. women’s team still took home gold, powered by A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and others. But for many fans, Clark’s absence still stings – and the revelation about Taurasi’s locked-in spot only deepens the sense that something about this decision was never quite fair.
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