Caitlin Clark is always missed! And this was proven today at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille. As it’s July 29, Team USA is busy warming up for a rematch of the Tokyo Olympics Gold medal game against Japan. Since it’s the eighth consecutive medal quest for Team USA, all the players are highly determined to create more history. However, in a rather peculiar sign from a fan, the team stands with all eyes on the audience.

And it is none other than a Japanese Caitlin Clark fan. As the team practiced, Wilson noticed a sign with Clark’s name on it. In the next moment, she called her teammates, and all of them together had a glance. The board showed, “You need Caitlin Clark to beat us.” Sure enough, Clark has some international fans too. Quite evidently, they are sad that she’s not on the roster.

On June 10th, the USA’s women’s basketball national committee revealed the Olympic roster. While most of the names were expected, there were some notable absences. Among them, Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark was a standout omission. Despite her ability to attract massive viewership, as evident from the record-breaking numbers her games get on TV, Clark was left off. Since then, Team USA has drawn significant criticism. But this one seems a bit hilarious!

In May, her unmatched fandom helped the WNBA fill out their arenas 94% more than the previous year. All her games, regardless of a win or loss, have been sold out. For Clark fans, it’s her three-point shooting range and impressive stats that keep them hooked. However, it wasn’t enough to get her a spot on Team USA’s roster. Or maybe it was.

Is Caitlin Clark a missed opportunity?

Ahead of Team USA’s game, Dawn Staley, a member of the selection committee for Team USA, sat with NBC Olympics host Mike Tirico. “As a committee member, you’re charged with putting together the best team of players, the best talent,” she said, emphasizing the responsibility of selecting a team for the Olympics.

“Caitlin is just a rookie in the WNBA. [She] wasn’t playing bad, but she wasn’t playing like she’s playing now,” she added. According to Staley, Clark’s performance has improved significantly over the weeks. Enough to get her name on Team USA’s roster. “If we had to do it all over again, the way that she’s playing, she would be in really high consideration.”

Well, she’s right. At the time Team USA’s roster was revealed, Clark wasn’t playing at her best and was still getting used to the league’s demands. But that has changed significantly. She has set a record for the most assists in a game (19) and the first triple-double by a rookie in WNBA history. Currently, she averages an impressive 17 points and nearly 8 assists per game. Enough to get her fans to stand up for her at the Olympics!

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.