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The Indiana Fever’s Kaitlyn Clark and the Connecticut Sun’s Breonna Jones are the top two replacements for the U.S. women’s basketball team ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
Charania said Monday on FanDuel TV Turn it on again That Clark or Jones would be first in line if a replacement was needed:
Turn it on again @RunItBackFDTV
“Caitlin Clark and Breonna Jones top the list of replacements for Team USA if a replacement is needed.”@Shams Charania On the USA Women’s Basketball Team roster for the 2024 Olympic Games pic.twitter.com/tAnKeGlKnI
Clarke’s exclusion from the 12-man squad sparked much discussion in the days that followed. Critics of the decision pointed to its enormous popularity and how much more attention it would bring to Team USA and women’s basketball as a whole.
Michael McCarthy @MMcCarthyREV
Leaving Kaitlyn Clark out of the Olympic team is terrible for NBC Sports, which pays billions for TV rights in the United States.
She would have had a highly charged Olympic television audience as she did in college and now in the pros.
Myopia doesn’t begin to describe this decision. https://t.co/bRLVA6ZEbB
Ultimately, though, the 22-year-old’s performance early in her rookie campaign didn’t make her selection a no-brainer. She is averaging 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists while shooting 37.3 percent overall and 32.7 percent from beyond the arc.
It is almost impossible to say that Clark is one of the best 12 players in the American group.
The 6’0″ guard also missed crucial practice time at Team USA’s training camp in April because she suited up for Iowa State in the Final Four. And head coach Cheryl Reeve was unable to get a substantive look at how she fits into the senior roster.
Not to mention, the boost in viewership that Clarke may have provided could have easily been diminished as it became clear that she was not going to be a key player on Team USA. Will fans still listen to her if she plays for 10 minutes or less in every contest?
The month-long break Clark will get from the WNBA season could be exactly what she needs. “It’s going to be a great month for my body to get rested and healthy,” she told reporters on Sunday.
Chloe Peterson @Kluypeterson67
When it comes to not making the Olympic team, Caitlin Clark has nothing but praise for the 12 who made the team: “It’s the hardest team to make.”
section: pic.twitter.com/LX59YA5Bzf
Clark added that she intends to work out with her Fever teammates and get in the weight room during the WNBA’s hiatus.
“Alcohol enthusiast. Twitter ninja. Tv lover. Falls down a lot. Hipster-friendly coffee geek.”