With Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese on Cusp of ‘Rejection’, 5 Other WNBA Stars Who Have Faced Shocking Exclusion from Team USA

The Team USA recently announced their Paris Olympics women’s basketball team. A surprising fact was the exclusion of the former NCAA Queen Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Clark and Reese were projected to be picked up for the Paris quadrennial event considering they are exceptional players who also bring a lot of fans with them.

However, the USA selectors did not think so. Now that Reese and Clark are on the brink of exclusion, here is a list of 5 more players who were shockingly not selected by Team USA in the past Olympics:-

Candace Parker

The first name that comes to mind when speaking of controversial decisions is that of Candace Parker not being selected for the 2016 Olympics. The Olympics took place in Rio and her exclusion came as a shock because she had performed exceptionally well for the Los Angeles Sparks. In the 2016 season, Parker averaged 15.3 points per game with 7.,4 rebounds per match, and 4.9 assists per contest.

Though the reasons for her rejection aren’t known, it is speculated that it could have been due to team positioning. The forward rotation often involved Breanna Stewart and Maya Moore. Thankfully for the team USA fans, they did not miss Parker as the USA toppled off Spain in the finals by a blowout margin of 101-72 and won the game.

Nneka Ogwumike

Nneka Ogwumike is another star who had to face the wrath of the selectors during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Not including her in the team came as a shock for many people because Ogwumike had won the MVP in 2016 and was also the WNBA Players’ Association president. Apart from that Ogwumike also led her team in scoring as she basketed 13.3 points per game with 4.8 rebounds per match in 2020 for the Sparks.

The three forwards to play in that tournament were A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Napheesa Collier. Maybe the selectors were more inclined towards a younger team and grooming their potential stars. Whatever the reason, the USA in the end defeated Japan by a decent margin of 90-75 in the Finals to win the gold medal.

Chiney Ogwumike

The fans received another shock when their star Chiney Ogwumike was not selected to be a part of the 2016 Olympics. Ogwumike had won the WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2014 but had to miss the 2015 WNBA for the entire season due to a knee injury she suffered with the Italian Club. On her comeback in the cash-rich league, Chiney smoked an exceptional 12.6 points per game with 6.7 rebounds per match. 

Unfortunately, despite her accomplished performances, Ogwumike couldn’t make it to the Olympic team. And after starting her career at a high, it is sad for the fans that Ogwumike couldn’t ever get a call to the Olympic team. And now after her most recent performance for the Sparks in 2023, she is not playing even in the 2024 WNBA.

Allisha Gray

Another name that comes as a shocker is that of Allisha Gray. Gray hasn’t played any Olympics till now despite averaging 12.8 points per game with 4.3 rebounds per match. She was playing for the Dallas Wings during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and had averaged a decent 13.1 points per contest with 4.2 rebounds per game. But that did not deter Team USA from winning the gold medal as mentioned before.

The team at that time had exceptional guards like Skylar Diggins-Smith and Sue Bird. And therefore, Gray not getting a chance was compensated by astounding play from other athletes. However, it is unfortunate that Gray even though she is brilliant never got a chance with the Olympics team. 

Kelsey Mitchell

One name that comes to everyone’s mind who was snubbed from the Olympics Team is that of Kelsey Mithell. Mitchell is an enterprising leader for the Indiana Fever who averaged an extraordinary 17.9 points per game in the WNBA 2020. Therefore, when she couldn’t find herself a spot in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics team it came as a disappointment.

Even last season Mitchell blasted her way to the the audience’s notice with an exceptional 18.2 points per game with 3.1 assists per match. She had also earned herself the Dawn Staley Leadership Award and the WNBA All-Star team. Hence, Mitchell definitely deserves more.

Mitchell who plays as a guard unfortunately has to face tough competition from other heavy names such as Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, and Skylar Diggins-Smith. Therefore, she couldn’t get what many feel she deserves. However, currently, she is Clark’s teammate and has been plying her trade with utmost sincerity, averaging 15.2 points per match. And hopefully, she will continue to rebuild the Indiana Fever and raise the bar for her team.

Though Clark and Reese aren’t anywhere near to making the team, their fans would be expecting that they ultimately get a chance. Meanwhile, netizens will be hoping that Team USA once again does not let their exclusion come in their way but rather triumphs at the highest level.

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