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South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley is changing her tune on WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark. With the Olympics getting underway this week, Staley was asked about Clark’s Team USA snub.
While she was one of the committee members responsible for keeping her off the Olympic roster, Staley now believes Clark is deserving.
The coach had the following to say when speaking with Mike Tirico:
“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.”
Dawn Staley, a member of the USWNT selection committee, asked about Caitlin Clark.
“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.” pic.twitter.com/hMYqTsPWzc
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) July 28, 2024
Caitlin Clark’s Team USA snub made headlines earlier this year as many were surprised to see the No. 1 overall pick get left off the roster.
She quickly reminded the squad of what they were missing by helping the WNBA All-Star team defeat Team USA earlier this month.
Dawn Staley, though impressed with Clark’s play of late, stands by the decision to omit the superstar. She says that only in the last couple of months has she proven herself worthy of an Olympic spot.
When compiling the initial roster, Staley noted Clark’s inexperience as reasoning behind the omission. The top pick did struggle in her first few games with the Fever.
She’s caught fire of late, though, even if Staley still considers Angel Reese more worthy of Rookie of the Year honors.
The point is moot, now, as Caitlin Clark preps to watch Team USA compete in the Paris Games from her living room. The change of heart won’t erase the snub!