Dawn Staley found herself backtracking after her recent attempt to explain why Caitlin Clark was left off the U.S. Olympic roster. The South Carolina basketball coach and Olympic selection committee member had justified the decision, citing Clark’s status as a WNBA rookie and suggesting that her play at the time wasn’t at the level it is now.
On Friday, Clark made a powerful statement with her performance, leading the Indiana Fever to a decisive 98-89 victory over the Phoenix Mercury and Olympic gold medalist Diana Taurasi. Clark’s return to WNBA action following the Olympic break was nothing short of sensational, as she finished the game with 29 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds, shooting an impressive 8-of-16 from the field.
Team USA narrowly secured its eighth-consecutive gold medal with a 67-66 win over France in the women’s basketball final at the Paris Olympics. However, fans couldn’t help but wonder if the margin of victory would have been more comfortable with Clark on the roster. Staley, speaking to NBC after the U.S. men’s basketball team’s victory over Serbia on July 28, attempted to shed light on the selection process.
“As a committee member, you’re charged with putting together the best team of players, the best talent. Caitlin is just a rookie in the WNBA,” Staley explained. “[She] wasn’t playing bad, but wasn’t playing like she’s playing now. If we had to do it all over again, the way that she’s playing, she would be in really high consideration of making the team because she is playing head and shoulders above a lot of people.”
Clark wasted no time proving her worth, as she dominated the first half against the Mercury, consistently overpowering her defenders. By the end of the second quarter, she had already made three three-pointers, converted two and-1 baskets on consecutive possessions, and dished out four assists. Just three minutes into the game, Clark became the first rookie in WNBA history to record over 450 points and 200 rebounds in a single season, according to StatMamba. With 53 points and 29 assists in her last two games, she also became the first player in league history to surpass 50 points and 25 assists in a two-game span.
Despite her Olympic snub, Clark has remained gracious. In an interview with ESPN ahead of the WNBA All-Star Game in July, she expressed her respect for Team USA and their coaching staff, stating, “They have the most talented team in the world. They’re going to have no issue winning gold. I’m going to be supporting them, cheering them on. For me, this is never a ‘I should be on that team.’ I know I have so many ways to continue to improve. It gives you motivation for something to compete for in four years.”
Clark’s remarkable return to the WNBA not only silenced doubts but also highlighted the potential impact she could have had on the Olympic stage.
