“Terrible decision,” CNN Sports analyst Christine Brennan said about Caitlin Clark’s snub from Team USA. As the Fever rookie stepped into the pro game, she became one of the reasons for the massive attention being brought to women’s basketball. Naturally, the decision of her Olympics omission had many scratching their heads in disbelief. Former coach Mike Krzyzewski, who once expressed his wish to coach the rookie star, drew a parallel between Clark’s situation to that of NBA veteran Kevin Durant.

Krzyzewski was hired as the head coach of the Redeem Team and coached Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. He recalled how Kevin Durant was almost selected for the roster but didn’t make it. However, in the 2010 World Cup, Durant scored his career-high of 38 points against Lithuania. Coach K feels that Clark’s situation is similar to Durant’s.

Coach K explained, “She (Clark) was at Iowa for a career so she became like a cult hero. I know some people are angry about her not being on the Olympic team and the timing wasn’t right yet, you know, but certainly she’ll be long there and it’s kind of like in 2008. Kevin Durant was on our select team and we almost picked him for the Redeem Team,” the former college basketball coach, Mike Krzyzewski, said during his appearance on The Herd with Colin Cowherd. 

“Then he was on the world championship in 2010 and won. He averaged 33 points a game in the medal round and then he took off I think that trajectory will be there for Caitlin,” he added.

Leaving college behind to join the WNBA was tough for Clark. Surpassing Kelsey Plum’s 3527 record, Clark became the No. 1 career scorer in the NCAA Women’s basketball history. While explaining the ‘Caitlin Clark effect’ that Clark brought from the collegiate level to the pro league, coach Mike Krzyzewski had nothing but praise for the star. 

Previously, in a matchup against Minnesota, the former Iowa star recorded her 17th career triple-double and scored 33 points, breaking the record previously held by Lynette Woodard. Following this, she also broke the record held by the late Pete Maravich for the top-scoring player. The 22-year-old is the first Division I player to top 3,000 points, 1,000 assists and 800 rebounds. She has also continued her dominance in the WNBA.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski expressed interest in mentoring and coaching basketball star Caitlin Clark

Back in December, last year, Clark made an appearance in a segment of Basketball & Beyond with Coach K. During their interaction, Krzyzewski also expressed his wish to coach the WNBA rookie star. Speaking to Clark, Coach K said, “You are so real. I would’ve loved to have coached you. And you’re not afraid. You’re not afraid. And God bless you.”  

The Duke legend’s coaching career includes guiding players like Grant Hill, Carlos Boozer, Jayson Tatum, and Zion Williamson. As the coach of the USA men’s national team, Krzyzewski has had a wonderful career. The national team under Coach K won three consecutive gold medals. Like Coach K, many other coaches would love to coach the basketball star and continue to cheer and root for the Fever rookie.

Considering Clark’s participation in the 2019 and 2021 U19 FIBA World Cup for the USA, it’s understandable why many are upset. However, US Olympics and Paralympic Committee CEO Sarah Hirshland called the rookie’s snub as a “very disciplined” decision. Clark has also expressed it as “nice” to have some time off during the Olympics. Even if not this year, there is hope for Clark to be on the next roster.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.”