Caitlin Clark, who isn’t competing in the Paris Olympics, might have been a strong candidate if the selection process had happened more recently. This sentiment was echoed by South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, who spoke with NBC’s Mike Tirico during the U.S.-Serbia men’s basketball game. Staley, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, suggested that Clark’s current performance would have significantly improved her chances of making the U.S. Olympic team if the roster were being chosen today rather than several weeks ago.
Clark, a rookie for the Indiana Fever, had initially been left off the Olympic roster, which caused surprise among fans who had followed her rise. At Iowa, Clark was a standout player, leading the Hawkeyes to consecutive NCAA championship games and becoming the highest-scoring college basketball player ever. Although her transition to the WNBA was rocky at first, with early struggles to maintain her college-level performance, she has recently shown remarkable improvement.
When the Team USA roster was announced on June 8, Clark was averaging 16.8 points per game with inconsistent performances, including a low of three points against the New York Liberty. Since then, her game has evolved significantly. Over the following 14 games, she increased her average to 17.1 points per game, with only one single-digit scoring game. Notably, her assists have soared from an average of 6.3 per game to 9.8, leading the WNBA in assists and setting a league record with 19 in a game against the Dallas Wings on July 17.
Staley acknowledged that if the committee were selecting players now, Clark’s current form would make her a prime candidate for the Olympic team. She praised Clark for her exceptional shooting, elite passing, and advanced basketball IQ. Staley noted that Clark is now more seasoned and playing at a higher level than she was a couple of months ago.
Clark showcased her skills during the WNBA All-Star game on July 20, where she recorded a game-high 10 assists. Her Team WNBA defeated the U.S. national team 117-109. Since the All-Star game, Clark has been on a break and will resume play with the Fever against the Phoenix Mercury on August 16, once the WNBA season resumes after the Olympics.
The U.S. women’s team began their Olympic campaign against Japan on Monday afternoon.
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