Is Caitlin Clark About to Get SNUBBED AGAIN?
In 2024, the world of women’s basketball was rocked by one of the most controversial decisions in recent memory: Caitlin Clark, the record-breaking rookie and media sensation, was left off the Team USA Olympic roster. Despite averaging more points than several selected guards, shattering records, and single-handedly elevating the profile of the women’s game, Clark was omitted from the list that would travel to Paris. The outcry was immediate and intense, with fans, analysts, and even casual sports observers labeling it “the snub heard round the world.” Now, as the next Olympic cycle approaches and WNBA legend Sue Bird is set to take over as managing director for USA Basketball, fans are asking a new—and urgent—question: Is Caitlin Clark about to get snubbed again?
To understand the anxiety surrounding Clark’s Olympic future, it’s important to revisit the circumstances of her initial omission. Clark wasn’t just a good rookie—she was a generational talent who changed the landscape of women’s basketball. She led Iowa to unprecedented success, broke NCAA and WNBA rookie records, and, perhaps most importantly, brought millions of new fans to the sport. Her games drew record television ratings, sold out arenas, and sparked a wave of interest in women’s basketball not seen in decades. Olympic committees typically dream of this kind of star power. Yet, when the 2024 roster was announced, Clark’s name was missing.
The reasons behind the decision remain a topic of heated debate. Some pointed to the “old guard” of USA Basketball—a group of established stars and decision-makers who may have felt threatened by Clark’s meteoric rise. Others cited claims that she hadn’t “paid her dues” or that her style of play didn’t fit the team’s system. There were also whispers of jealousy and an unwillingness to let a newcomer steal the spotlight on the sport’s biggest stage. Whatever the rationale, the decision was a public relations disaster. The most marketable player in women’s basketball was left at home during the sport’s premier international event, and many saw it as a missed opportunity to grow the game both in the U.S. and abroad.
For Clark, the snub became a turning point. Instead of fading into the background, she used the disappointment as motivation. She returned from the Olympic break stronger than ever, averaging 23 points per game, winning Rookie of the Year, and setting a WNBA single-season assist record. Her performances silenced critics and forced even her detractors to admit that the selection committee had made a mistake. In a highly anticipated WNBA All-Star game, Clark faced off against the very Team USA roster that had excluded her—and she shined, proving she belonged among the world’s elite.
With the next Olympic cycle looming, many assumed Clark would be a lock for Team USA. But then came the announcement that Sue Bird, a five-time Olympic gold medalist and respected figure in women’s basketball, would take over as managing director. Bird’s new role gives her unprecedented influence over roster decisions, and her initial public comments have done little to calm Clark’s supporters. When asked directly about Clark’s Olympic prospects, Bird was diplomatic but noncommittal, offering praise but stopping short of any guarantees. For fans still stinging from the previous snub, this ambiguity is concerning.
Team USA selection has always been about more than just statistics. Relationships, loyalty, and politics play a significant role. Roster spots often go to veterans or those with deep ties to the program. In 2024, Clark checked every box—performance, star power, impact—and still found herself on the outside looking in. Now, with Bird at the helm, some fear that history could repeat itself. Will Bird prioritize established veterans and “dues payers,” or will she recognize Clark’s undeniable impact and embrace the future of the sport?
There are reasons for optimism. Bird has, at times, publicly acknowledged Clark’s greatness. When ESPN controversially left Clark off its list of top five women’s college players, Bird defended her, calling her “one of the greatest of all time” and stating, “There’s nobody you’d rather have on your roster.” Bird’s wife, soccer legend Megan Rapinoe, has also praised Clark’s star power and willingness to meet the moment. These endorsements suggest Bird may be more forward-thinking than some fear.
Still, the anxiety remains. Clark’s popularity is only increasing—she recently drew over a million viewers for a preseason game against Brazil, and her opponents treated her like a global superstar. Her inclusion would not only benefit Team USA but would elevate the entire Olympic tournament. Yet, until the roster is officially announced, fans will remain on edge, haunted by the memory of 2024.
Ultimately, the question persists: Is Caitlin Clark about to get snubbed again? The answer lies in whether the new leadership is ready to embrace the future or whether the politics of the past will continue to dictate the direction of Team USA. One thing is certain—if Clark is left off the Olympic roster again, the backlash will be even louder, and the calls for change even more urgent. For now, all eyes are on Sue Bird and USA Basketball as the world waits to see if they’ll make the right call this time.
