Team USA won the final against France on their home turf and claimed their historic eighth consecutive gold medal on the grand stage. While they have accomplished the mission, it was a hard-fought battle that finished by just a point difference between both the teams. The French players surprised Team USA by showcasing a strong defensive performance throughout and the results could have been different if that last-minute Gabby Williams effort was fired from just a step back.

During the third quarter, France held a commanding 10-point lead over Team USA, and it was a moment that likely had selectors sweating over their decision. With the game hanging in the balance and the prospect of an unfavorable outcome looming, one can’t help but wonder if the selection committee which included South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley was second-guessing their choice not to include Caitlin Clark in the Olympic lineup because the team lacked what Clark could have easily delivered.

How Caitlin Clark’s presence could have eased it for Team USA

The fact that Caitlin Clark’s snub could have been a regret for a long time if the USA didn’t win against France is the USA missing on few opportunities served on a platter. The French team committed 25 fouls which eventually resulted in a number of free throws given to Team USA. While they did score 27 out of 34 chances (79%), it was nothing compared to France’s 100% record on free throws.

In the finals, Team USA’s shooting seemed off, particularly from beyond the arc. They struggled with their three-point shots, hitting only 2 out of 12 attempts while converting 12% of their long-range shots. The field goals were the only front where they did a decent job as they scored from 39% of the attempts. The lack of precision was a noticeable factor in the game which could have been different with the presence of Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark.

Even though Caitlin Clark didn’t make it onto the Olympic team, she has already made waves in her debut WNBA season, leading the league in assists. What really sets Clark apart is her shooting accuracy as the rookie has been remarkable from the free-throw line, with a stellar 89.1% shooting rate. Her long-range shooting is equally impressive, with a solid 32.7% from three-point territory.

While Clark’s dominance in the W is something that we are aware of, let’s look at why Dawn Staley couldn’t select this player in the Olympics roster.

Revisiting Dawn Staley and the committee’s decision to snub Caitlin Clark from Team USA

When Team USA Basketball announced their roster in June, the decision to leave out Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever star and rookie sensation, caught many experts off guard. The snub was particularly surprising given Clark’s standout performance and rising reputation. Adding to the intrigue, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, who had previously dashed Clark’s hopes of an NCAA Championship in her final season, was also on the selection committee for the U.S. women’s basketball team.

Recently, Dawn Staley opened up about the decision not to include Caitlin Clark on the Olympic team. “As a committee member, you’re charged with putting together the best team, Caitlin is just a rookie in the WNBA, wasn’t playing bad, but wasn’t playing like she’s playing now,” Staley stated via NBC. Clark also missed the national training camp for USA Basketball earlier because she was leading Iowa to the college national championship. Given these factors, it simply didn’t align with the committee’s decision to select Clark at that moment.

However, Staley later reflected on the decision with a change of heart. “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,” said Staley. With Team USA’s narrow victory in the Olympic finals, Staley might be feeling a pang of regret, pondering how different things could have been if the U.S. hadn’t managed to edge out France.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show”. Our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.