‘Wake up a monster,’ Kaitlyn Clark told 2024 Olympic fever coach

WNBA

by Bridget Riley

In Caitlin Clark’s first public comment about her U.S. Olympic team’s refusal to host the 2024 tournament in Paris, she showed maturity in expressing her enthusiasm for the veteran team.

However, to her coach, Christy Sides, of the Fever, Clark was a little more direct.

“Hey coach, they woke up a monster,” Sides told reporters of a text message she received from Clark about cutting the Olympics short.

“Which I thought was great,” Sides continued, talking about her young co-star’s response.

Clarke’s popularity, which has grown since her days at Iowa State among the pros, has drawn countless criticism from fans and members of the media over her lack of presence on the USA Women’s National Team roster.

Barstool founder Dave Portnoy called it “the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“How stupid are these people?” Portnoy added. “Never complain about women’s salaries again. Make this team fly commercial. Stupid, unreal.”

Sides was also sad to hear that her No. 1 pick had joined the long list of rejected WNBA stars.

“A bit disappointed, of course. “She’s my player,” Sides said. “This is the toughest team in the world, isn’t it? This is a tough team. She’s young. She will have a lot of different opportunities in the future.

Clarke’s unwavering popularity was said to have been a factor in the decision for fear of fan backlash to what was likely to be limited playing time for her among the veteran group that includes Breanna Stewart, Aja Wilson, Nevesa Collier, Joel Lloyd and Chelsea Gray.

“I’m excited for the girls on the team,” Clark said Sunday, in her first comments since the roster was revealed. “I know they’re the most competitive team in the world and I know it could have gone either way, whether I’m on the team or not on the team. I’m excited for them, and I’m going to be rooting for them to win gold. I was a kid who grew up watching the Olympics, and it’s going to be It’s fun to watch.”

However, a month-long break will likely do wonders for Clarke.

The former Iowa star didn’t get much rest from the end of her college career — in which she reached her second straight national championship game — to the beginning of her WNBA season.