Caitlin Clark was given a shocking Olympic lifeline, and a crucial member of Team USA had to battle against time to recover.
Due to an ongoing injury concern, Caitlin Clark might have a chance to compete at the Olympics after all. She is one of Team USA’s most important players.
Even though Clark broke records while playing college ball for Iowa and had a great start to her major league career with Indiana, she was controversially left off of Cheryl Reeve’s starting lineup for the summer Games in Paris. Clark was the top pick in this year’s WNBA Draft.
The 22-year-old was instead designated as an alternative, which means that in the event that a member of Team USA must withdraw from the team, she will be among the first to go.
Furthermore, Diana Taurasi’s ongoing battle with a leg injury leaves Clark exposed to a surprise late call-up to the Olympic team.
One of Reeve’s key players going into the summer Olympics, guard Taurasi, a six-time Olympian and member of the Phoenix Mercury, has missed her team’s previous four WNBA games due to an injury.
After all, Caitlin Clark might have a chance to compete in the summer Olympics. + 3 View gallery
After all, Caitlin Clark might get a chance to compete in the summer Olympics.
Diana Taurasi is still dealing with a leg issue, so she’s in a race against time to get healthy. + 3 View gallery
Diana Taurasi is still dealing with a leg issue, so she is in a race against time to get well.
SEE MORE
As Fever’s comeback is short-lived, Caitlin Clark lashes out at Julie Vanloo of Mystics article image
Her prospects of going to Paris are further diminished by the fact that she will be absent from the Mercury’s game on Friday against Clark and the Fever.
Should Taurasi fail in her fight against time to be healthy, Clark would be the most logical replacement because she plays the same position.
Reeve caused a stir last summer when she decided not to include the Fever phenomenon on her Olympic team. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy called the USA officials responsible for the decision “dumb women.”
In a social media video, Portnoy angrily exclaimed, “Hey dummies.” “You have possibly the most well-liked player in the world for the first time in the history of basketball.”
One may contend that Caitlin Clark is the world’s most well-liked, electrifying single basketball player. You may contest that. And you do not include her on the Olympic team?
During her time at Iowa, Clark attracted a great deal of interest to women’s basketball. Now that she is in the WNBA, rival teams are moving their games against Indiana to larger venues in order to meet the growing demand for the sport.
Taurasi, who had already come under fire for implying that Clark isn’t prepared for the major leagues, showered Clark with adulation following Phoenix’s defeat to Indiana last month.
Recently, Taurasi complimented Clark for drawing previously unheard-of attention to women’s basketball + 3 View gallery
Taurasi recently gave Clark acclaim for generating never-before-seen interest in women’s basketball.
“It’s incredible what Caitlin has accomplished in her brief career thus far,” the 42-year-old remarked. Nothing short of extraordinary has happened.
“What she’s done for the game has been pretty incredible, and it’s been eyes on you for four years straight coming out of college.”
Taurasi has averaged 16.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game this season while healthy, demonstrating why she is among the WNBA’s most skilled players.
Clark, on the other hand, is averaging 16.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game. The WNBA All-Star Game was held in recognition of Clark’s outstanding start.
