The Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark and Connecticut Sun’s Brionna Jones are the top two alternates for the United States 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’s Run It Back that Clark or Jones would be one of the first in line if a replacement is needed:
“Caitlin Clark and Brionna Jones are top of the alternates list for Team USA if there is needed to be a replacement”@ShamsCharania on Team USA women’s basketball roster for the 2024 Olympics pic.twitter.com/tAnKeGlKnI
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) June 10, 2024
Clark’s omission from the 12-player squad has sparked plenty of discussion in the days since. Critics of the decision pointed to her massive popularity and how much she may have brought more attention to Team USA and women’s basketball as a whole.
Leaving Caitlin Clark off Olympic team is terrible for NBC Sports, which is paying billions for U.S. TV rights.
She would have absolutely super-charged Olympic TV audiences the way she did in college and now in the pros.
Short-sighted doesn't begin to describe this decision. https://t.co/bRLVA6ZEbB
— Michael McCarthy (@MMcCarthyREV) June 8, 2024
Ultimately, though, the 22-year-old’s performance early in her rookie campaign didn’t make her selection a no-brainer. She’s 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’s almost impossible to argue Clark is one of the 12 best players in the American pool.
The 6’0″ guard also missed out on critical practice time at Team USA’s training camp in April because she was suiting up for Iowa in the Final Four. Head coach Cheryl Reeve was unable to get a substantial look at how she’d mesh with the senior roster.
Not to mention, the boost in viewership Clark might’ve provided could easily have waned as it became apparent she wasn’t going to be a key player for Team USA. Would fans keep tuning in if she were playing 10 or fewer minutes every contest?
The monthlong break Clark will get from the WNBA season could be exactly what she needs. She told reporters Sunday that “it’s gonna be a great month for my body to get rest and get healthy.”
When it comes to not making the Olympic team, Caitlin Clark has nothing but praise for the 12 who made it: “it’s the toughest team to make.”
Clip: pic.twitter.com/LX59YA5Bzf
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) June 9, 2024
Clark added she intends to work out with her Fever teammates and get into the weight room while the WNBA is on a pause.
