“If we had to do it all over again, the way that she’s playing, she would be in really high consideration,” that’s what Team USA selection committee member Dawn Staley had to say about Caitlin Clark recently. The Indiana Fever rookie has been brilliant in the WNBA, making a strong case to be part of the traveling squad to the Olympics this year. The decision to leave her out of the roster shocked the basketball world.

Staley mentioned that Clark’s current performance for the Fever is much different compared to how she was playing at the time of selection. She went on to claim that the rookie was “Seasoned” according to the professional basketball stage. After having spoken about the snub previously – no disappointments, just motivation – the player has once again revisits the situation with similar set of emotions.

“I think the break stuff has been good. I mean, it’s certainly cool. It’s like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you’re only going to ever get in four years. So, I wouldn’t say I’m necessarily bummed. I think it gives you something to work for, for sure, and you use something to dream of. In four years, you can be there, and four years comes fast,” Clark said as she returned to practice.

The 22-year-old has consistently been on court since last year – through NCAA and the WNBA. The last she had a vacation, she says, was in her sophomore year. Thus, when the Olympic break came around, a few days of resting was all Clark was grateful for, which clearly still remains her positive. But that isn’t all the NCAA all-time leading scorer is aware of.

She added, “It makes me think, that’s your time in college, and I feel like I was just a freshman in college. So, it shows you that you’ve got to start working now if you want that to be your dream in four years. So, I think that’s just, that’s it for me. It’s like, you know, work hard and hopefully, you can be there.”

Many would typically be on a public outburst if they didn’t make the team, especially if they boasted the numbers like Caitlin. But the 22-year-old refuses to let the decision hold her down and vows to work harder to win her spot in the coming years.

Will excluding Caitlin Clark cost Team USA heavily?

The United States National Women’s Basketball Team got off to a flying start at the 2024 Paris Olympics. They beat Japan 102-76, with A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart standing out from the rest. Compared to Japan’s 37.8% FG, the USA shot successfully at a rate of 54.5%. That was ultimately the difference for the Americans. However, the Asian team also exposed USA’s major weakness.

Japan’s three-point percentage was 38.5, whereas the United States team’s was just 20%. That prompted fans to point out that Caitlin Clark’s shooting abilities could have been to best use against their opponents. Clark has made a name for herself as a sharpshooter, boasting a percentage of 32.7% from behind the three-point line.

Although the USA boasts the likes of Diana Taurasi and Kelsey Plum, Clark’s pure shooting talents could have been an added advantage too. The USA’s aging roster could have used a pair of fresh legs, indicating that the team has taken a rather huge gamble. With that said, the Americans certainly still pose a challenge, young star or not.