NBA Hall of Famer’s Take on Caitlin Clark’s Team USA Snub Might Upset 22 YO’s Fans

Despite only focusing on her game, Caitlin Clark somehow finds herself engrossed in controversy every other day. The first overall pick not becoming a part of the Team USA roster for the Paris Olympics seems to have divided the entire basketball world. Surely, she has proven to be a great asset on the floor, averaging 15.6 points and 6 assists. The 2x National Player of the Year has shown an even greater impact on the marketability of the sport. Still, her inexperience in international games and continued physicality issues ultimately kept her off of the 12-player roster. Now, the men’s National team Managing Director Grant Hill gave his two cents on the same.

The former NBA star first laid the groundwork, comparing the men’s and women’s selection processes. While the NBA used to follow a committee selection process, it has given that up now. However, the women’s process is still like the pre-2006 men’s. He told the host that these committees are given an insight into how they should select a player. The 7x NBA All-Star also mentioned the mini training camps for the Olympics roster, something that Caitlin Clark could not attend due to her Final Four game against the UConn Huskies.

He said on The Rich Eisen Show, “Controversial, indeed, I understand, and people have opinions. But I think the women who are on that committee and women that have given to that game and continue to give to the game have been great ambassadors and been in the WNBA understand the value and the impact that Caitlin Clark can and will have for women’s basketball. But ultimately, their process was their process.”

The 3x NBA Sportsmanship Awardee ended the conversation by saying, “I’m not as well-versed with the process. You might know the process better than I do. But we have to respect it. Processes can change. They can be tweaked and maybe they will take a hard look at their process moving forward.” While Hill didn’t say anything against Clark, saying “their process was their process” might not sit too well with supporters of Clark, who have been complaining about the eligibility criteria for the roster selection.

Pressing on the fact that processes can always change, Hill also mentioned that people care and have a passion for the sport. That is what is marketable. Talking about marketability, here is what he thinks about Caitlin Clark’s impact on basketball.

Caitlin Clark receives praise from Grant Hill

Many WNBA and NBA legends and analysts have accepted the fact that the Fever rookie does have a strong impact on the sport. However, there have been many who have been against the notion. Caitlin Clark herself gave credit to many women athletes who have come into the league to lay the foundation in her SNL cameo. However, the debate never seems to end.

Still, Grant Hill did give his opinion about the talented Iowa star. He praised the 3x Nancy Lieberman awardee by saying, “Obviously, Caitlin Clark. What she has done for the game. The college game, now the WNBA game and I think women’s basketball and men’s basketball. I think she has an ability to inspire not just young girls but young boys as well. She’s that dominant and that talented and has that kind of a game that resonates.”

The WNBA is on a growing escalator and the following seasons will only see higher growth. But for now, Caitlin Clark and the entire 2024 WNBA rookie class have moved the needle more than anyone has. However, that still remains a debatable issue. Nevertheless, there is no denying that whether Clark was selected for the Team USA roster or not, the fans should respect the committee’s decision.

Stay tuned for more such updates. To follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.