CNN sports analyst suggests Caitlin Clark was left off the USA Women’s Basketball Olympic roster

CNN reports that USA Basketball’s roster for the women’s Olympic basketball team in Paris this summer will not include WNBA rookie standout Caitlin Clark. According to CNN sports analyst Christine Brennan, Clark was not selected for the team due to concerns about her limited playing time on a star-studded roster and how her millions of fans would react to the decision.

USA Basketball has been contacted for comment by CNN, but has not yet responded. The anticipated roster is expected to feature WNBA stars and past Olympic champions such as Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi, and Breanna Stewart, among others. Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, had previously stated that she would only play basketball overseas for the Olympics, following her detainment in Russia in 2022.

The US women’s team is scheduled to play an exhibition game against Germany in London on July 23 before their first game at the 2024 Paris Olympics on July 29. In the group stage, the team will compete against Japan, Belgium, and Germany. The US women’s 3×3 team includes young talents like WNBA rookie Cameron Brink and college player Hailey Van Lith, alongside veterans Rhyne Howard and Cierra Burdick who currently play professionally in Spain.

The USA women’s national team, known for its extraordinary talent, has achieved gold at seven consecutive Olympic Games since 1996 and the 3×3 basketball team won the inaugural women’s gold medal in Tokyo in 2021.